Happy Thanksgiving, readers! In celebration of the holiday and the delicious meal soon to be consumed, we’re sharing five fun facts about the animal that almost became the United States national bird.
Wild turkeys are remarkably speedy on foot. When sprinting at full speed these large, powerful birds can reach up to 25 miles per hour! They use their athleticism to escape predators catch prey, and impress potential mates.
In this article, we’ll explore exactly how fast wild turkeys can run, the role of running in their lifestyle, and how their bodies are adapted for speed.
Wild Turkey Top Speed
The average top speed of a wild turkey is around 25 mph, This maximum speed applies to both males (toms) and females (hens)
25 mph is equivalent to over 36 feet per second – nearly as fast as an Olympic sprinter! It’s also faster than most house cats and small dogs can run.
Wild turkeys don’t always go full speed. But when motivated by threat, food, or courtship, they can reach up to 25 mph in short bursts over level ground.
This speed allows wild turkeys to rapidly escape predators like coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and domestic dogs. Their powerful legs propel them away from danger in seconds.
How Long Can Wild Turkeys Run Fast?
Wild turkeys can only sprint at top speed for a short period. They don’t have great stamina for long distance running.
Within a quarter mile, a sprinting wild turkey will become exhausted and have to slow down. They can jog at a modest pace for longer distances up to a mile.
So while wild turkeys are explosive sprinters, they aren’t built for marathon-type endurance. Their legs are meant for fast getaways, not steady, prolonged running.
How Do Wild Turkeys Run So Fast?
Wild turkeys have several special adaptations that allow them to run 25 mph:
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Powerful leg muscles – Their legs are muscular and optimized for explosive speed. The drumstick meat makes up 30% of their body weight.
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Long, strong legs – Their legs are relatively long compared to their body size. This gives them an extra-long stride when running.
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Lightweight bodies – Wild turkeys weigh under 30 pounds on average. This light, agile frame maximizes speed.
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Broad, forward-facing toes – Their toes provide a stable base of support while running. The front-facing third toe gives thrust.
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Large wings – Fully spread wings help the birds balance and steer as they sprint.
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Streamlined bodies – Their compact, rounded bodies are aerodynamic for cutting through the air during fast foot speeds.
When you see a wild turkey dart away at high speed, take a moment to appreciate how perfectly its body is engineered for land speed!
Why Do Wild Turkeys Need To Run Fast?
Sprinting ability is crucial to wild turkeys’ survival and reproduction. Here are some key reasons wild turkeys run fast:
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Escaping predators – Their top speed helps them rapidly evade hungry coyotes, foxes, hawks, and other predators.
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Catching prey – Quick speed lets them pounce on small animals, insects, and other food sources.
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Impressing mates – Toms run fast to show off for hens and outpace rival males during breeding season.
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Reaching roosts – Sprinting helps them quickly get to the tall trees where they roost overnight, away from danger.
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Defending territory – Chasing away intruders from their home range requires fast foot speed.
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Migrating – Some wild turkey flocks migrate miles between summer and winter habitat. Running speed aids these long journeys.
In the wild, survival and reproduction depend on athleticism. The ability to sprint on cue is key to turkeys passing on their speedy genes.
How Does Wild Turkey Running Speed Compare to Other Birds?
The wild turkey’s top running speed of 25 mph is exceptionally fast compared to most other bird species.
For example, chickens can only run up to 9 mph. Pheasants reach 10-15 mph. Quail top out around 20 mph.
So the wild turkey outpaces its closest poultry relatives by 5 to 10 mph!
Some birds that can outrun wild turkeys include:
- Ostriches – Up to 43 mph
- Peregrine falcons – Over 200 mph diving
- Golden eagles – Up to 100 mph diving
- Roadrunners – 20 mph sustained speed
But when it comes to land speed, wild turkeys dominate over songbirds, waterfowl, herons, ravens, doves, and other bird groups. Their legs and feet are specially designed for sprinting on the ground.
How Does Wild Turkey Running Ability Develop?
Wild turkey chicks, called poults, have limited running ability immediately after hatching. Their legs are undeveloped and unable to sprint fast.
But poults grow and gain leg strength quickly. Within their first two weeks of life, poults can already run over 5 mph.
By six weeks old, juvenile wild turkeys can sprint short distances at speeds over 15 mph. Their leg muscles and running performance continue improving through their first six months.
Most wild turkeys reach mature adult running speeds of 20 to 25 mph by one year old. Their athletic prime lasts through about age five. Older turkeys gradually lose some maximum foot speed but can still run steadily to survive.
Are Domestic Turkeys as Fast as Wild Turkeys?
Domestic broad-breasted turkeys, raised for meat, are much slower than wild turkeys. They have been selectively bred for meat yield rather than speed.
The average broad-breasted turkey can only run up to about 8 mph. Their heavy bodies weigh them down compared to lean, athletic wild turkeys.
Heritage turkey breeds developed from wild ancestors are faster than commercial turkeys. Breeds like Narragansett, Bourbon Red, and Black turkeys can sprint up to 15 mph.
But no domestic turkeys match the level of athleticism and running performance of wild turkeys adapted for survival in nature.
Do Wild Turkeys Ever Run in Circles?
Sometimes wild turkeys do appear to run in frantic circles, especially if startled or confused. But they aren’t doing so purposefully.
Rapid circling behavior in wild turkeys has a few possible causes:
- Panic reactions to fear or stress
- Overstimulation from aggression hormones
- Vestibular disease affecting their balance
- Toxic poisoning from pesticides
This disorder is called “circle running.” It’s an involuntary condition and not healthy behavior. Circling is often a sign that the turkey is unwell or distressed.
Healthy wild turkeys run in linear paths to escape predators or pursue objectives. They have no reason to run in circles.
Can Wild Turkeys Outrun Humans?
Yes, absolutely! The fastest human sprinters can reach about 28 mph, similar to wild turkeys. But the average healthy person can only run 8-15 mph.
So while extremely fit endurance athletes may be able to nearly match a wild turkey’s land speed, most people stand no chance. If you startle a nearby wild turkey, give up any thought of chasing it down!
Just admire their running ability, and be thankful most birds aren’t even faster. The wilderness would be an even more humbling place if wild turkeys could sprint 35 mph!
The Takeaway on Wild Turkey Running Speed
With legs built for power and speed, wild turkeys are some of the fastest running birds when chasing prey or escaping threats in nature.
Their top recorded speed is about 25 mph over short distances. While not long-distance runners, they can sprint up to a quarter mile at speeds rivaling elite human athletes.
So if a wild turkey appears in your backyard or on a trail, pause to appreciate its athletic prowess before it dashes away using its natural speed and agility!
They’re Approved To Run At Speed In Residential Zones
Wild turkeys can run as fast as 25 miles per hour (and can fly as fast as 55 mph). Since domesticated turkeys are bred to be heavier in weight (roughly double that of wild turkeys, which usually weigh between five and 20 pounds), they can’t run quite as fast–which doesn’t matter much, since they’re so rarely presented with reasons to run at all.
Believe It Or Not, Wild Turkeys Cross-Train
Though turkeys prefer to navigate their way through the world on land, they are capable of swimming and are fast in flight. If ever there was a sprint triathlon for birds with running, swimming and flying legs, we’d place our money on the turkey.
How Fast Can a Turkey Run
FAQ
How fast is a wild turkey?
How fast can a turkey run in mph?
Can wild turkeys fly 55 mph?
Can wild turkeys run about 30 miles per hour?
How fast can a tamed Turkey fly?
A wild turkey may reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, but the fastest a tamed bird can go is about 10 miles per hour. This results from domesticated turkeys being developed to have bigger, more meaty breasts and legs at the expense of their ability to sprint and fly.
How much does a wild turkey weigh?
Size and weight: The wild turkey is the heaviest member of the Galliformes order. The male typically weighs between 11 to 24 pounds and is 39-49 inches long. The female, significantly smaller than the male, weighs 5 to 12 pounds and is only 30 to 37 inches long. Despite their size, wild turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 mph and fly up to 55 mph.
Why do turkeys run faster?
Turkeys run quicker on level and hard grounds than on soft or uneven ground. Cooler temperature makes turkeys run quicker. Overheating slows turkeys. Turkeys sprint faster to avoid predators. Food and mating prospects may inspire turkeys to run faster. Turkeys are speedier when young and healthy. Turkey running speed depends on breed and heredity.
Are turkeys faster than humans?
Turkeys aren’t a species you’re likely to run away from. In fact, you’re much more likely to be pursuing them. But while wild turkeys may take their time walking around and foraging for food, both their land and air speeds are faster than a human’s. The average jog speed for a human is four to six mph.