What Does a Female Turkey Sound Like? Decoding the Various Vocalizations of Hens

Every spring the distinct vocalizations of wild turkeys echo through forests and fields across North America. While the male’s famous gobble gets a lot of attention the calls of the female turkey, known as the hen, are equally important. Hens make an array of fascinating sounds that have different meanings and uses.

So what does a female turkey sound like? Here’s a guide to identifying and understanding the key sounds of wild turkey hens.

The Signature Yelp

The most commonly heard sound in the turkey woods is made by the hen, and it’s called a yelp Hens yelp to communicate with flock mates and to catch the attention of male turkeys during mating season

Toms also yelp, but it’s louder, raspier and often more drawn-out than that of hens. The yelp is usually delivered in a series of one-note tunes. However, yelps can take on various forms:

• Plain yelp: A basic series of single, evenly spaced notes used for general flock communication.

• Excited yelp: A louder, faster, more emphatic yelp indicating a hen is worked up over something, like defending her position in the pecking order.

• Lost yelp: A higher-pitched, whistling yelp made by a hen that has become separated from the flock.

Loud Assembly Call

When a flock of turkeys becomes scattered, the lead hen will make a loud, emphatic series of yelps called the assembly call. She’s signaling to the flock to reassemble around her. This call carries farther than normal yelping.

Hunters sometimes mimic assembly yelping in the fall to call in groups of hens and juveniles that have wandered apart from each other.

Softer Social Calls

In addition to her loud, carrying calls, the hen makes subtler sounds for communicating up close with flock mates:

• Clucks: Short, staccato single notes that say “Here I am!” and provide reassurance.

• Purrs: Soft, rolling calls that indicate contentment and help maintain flock unity.

These quieter sounds are crucial for keeping the flock connected and coordinated as they travel and forage together.

Raucous Excitement: Cutting

When turkeys are worked up and excited, hens make a loud, rapid mix of clucks and yelps known as cutting. Several hens may cut back and forth, amping up the enthusiasm.

Hunters can mimic cutting to try drawing in a dominant hen looking to defend her status. Doing so may pull along the gobbler she’s with too.

Alert Signals: Putts and Cackles

Hens use sharp, loud putt calls to raise the alarm if they notice potential danger. This instantly puts the flock on alert.

When flying up to or down from the roost, hens announce themselves with a series of loud, staccato cackles. Hunters can use cackle calls to signal to a gobbler that hens are on the ground and he should fly down to find them.

Distinct Calls of Hens With Poults

In summer, hens with poults communicate using higher-pitched, whistle-like kee-kee calls. This helps scattered chicks identify and find their mothers.

As poults get older, hens use excited cutting to keep the young birds close together as the flock travels and forages.

Understanding Hen Vocalizations Is Key

Now you know the unique sounds made by female wild turkeys throughout the year. Their vocal communication is key to flock coordination and reproduction.

Next time you’re out hunting turkeys, take a moment to appreciate the diverse vocal repertoire of the hen. Mimicking her properly is crucial for calling birds in successfully.

Paying close attention to the sounds coming from turkey hens can provide valuable insight into flock activity and dynamics. Their vocalizations indicate how they interact, signal each other, and react to threats.

Learning to distinguish and reproduce the sounds of the hen is an essential skill on your journey to becoming an expert turkey caller. So keep those ears open out there in the spring woods!