As fall approaches, images of plump, delicious turkeys start popping up everywhere. These big birds are a staple of the traditional American Thanksgiving feast. But what does a male turkey, known as a tom, actually look like in the wild?
Male turkeys have a very distinctive appearance that sets them apart from females (called hens) In this article, we’ll take a close look at the size, colors, features, and behaviors that characterize tom turkeys Keep reading to learn all about the visual qualities of these special North American gamebirds!
Size – Toms Are Much Larger Than Hens
The most obvious difference between male and female turkeys is their size. Toms are substantially bigger and heavier than hens.
- Toms are about twice the size of hens. They are one of the largest birds found in North America.
- Toms weigh between 16 and 40 pounds, while hens weigh 8 to 10 pounds.
- Toms stand about 4 feet tall, compared to around 3 feet tall for hens.
- The wingspan of a tom ranges from 4.5 to 5.5 feet, versus 3 to 4 feet for hens.
So if you see a very large bulky turkey walking around it’s almost certainly a male. The impressive size and bulk of toms is a key part of their appearance.
Colors – Iridescent Chestnut Brown Plumage
In terms of coloration toms display mostly brown plumage with striking iridescent accents
- The main body feathers are a rich, deep chestnut brown with a faint iridescent copper and green sheen. This gives the tom an overall bronze cast.
- The plumage has a subtly scaled texture due to the pattern of chestnut brown and black barring on individual feathers.
- The wings show thick white barring on the flight feathers when spread open.
- The feathers of the lower back and tail are tipped with a lustrous iridescent green color.
So toms appear generally dark brown all over, with eye-catching iridescent highlights in copper, green, and white. This sets them apart from the more plainly colored females.
Features – Fleshy Head Decorations
Male turkeys have unique fleshy features on their heads that play an important role in mating displays:
- Snoods – A snood is a flap of flesh that hangs down over the tom’s beak. It can change color and length based on the tom’s mood.
- Wattles – Wattles are bumps of flesh under the chin. They become engorged with blood during courtship.
- Carcuncles – These fleshy nodules cover the head and change color from red to blue to white.
The heads of male turkeys are mostly unfeathered. The color changes in the fleshy decorations are ways for toms to signal aggression or court females.
Feather Display – Dramatic Tail Fans and Wing Droops
Toms also have specialized tail and wing feathers used for elaborate displays:
- The tail feathers can spread into a huge fan covering 180 degrees.
- The wings feature primary feathers that can be dropped down dramatically.
- Together these feather displays make the tom look massive and intimidating.
By fanning the tail wide and dropping his wings, a tom turkey can transform his shape entirely, like opening a giant feather cloak. This is a key behavior males use to attract females and confront competing males.
Strange Fleshy Growths on the Head Called Snoods and Wattles
The fleshy bumps and flaps on a tom’s head are called snoods and wattles. Here are some key facts about these unusual structures:
- The snood is a flap of flesh that hangs down over the beak. It can change length from a few inches to over a foot!
- Wattles hang under the chin. They become bright red and engorged with blood during mating season.
- The peculiar bumps and growths help toms signal their moods to other birds.
These alien-looking skin growths are defining features only found on male turkeys. They are primarily used to communicate during competitive mating displays.
Gobbling Calls – Unique Vocalizations
A final distinctive trait of toms is their one-of-a-kind vocalizations that advertise their availability to females:
- Male turkeys make a low-pitched gobble call that can be heard from over a mile away. This call attracts females.
- Gobbling peaks in early spring as males establish territories and court females.
- Toms may also produce clicking, purring, yelping, and other sounds. But the gobble stands out for carrying long distances.
The unique gobbling call of a tom turkey is like a loud, garbled trumpet sound. It’s one of the classic sounds of the spring forest!
Changes Throughout the Year – Seasonal Variations
Some qualities of male turkeys change dramatically throughout the seasons:
- In spring mating season, the heads turn brilliant red and white while the snoods elongate.
- In summer and fall, the heads fade to blue and gray, and the snoods contract.
- Males form large flocks together in winter, no longer competing for mates.
So a tom can look considerably different depending on the time of year. Spring brings the most dramatic colors and features for attracting hens.
How to Distinguish Toms from Female Turkeys
Now that you know the main visual characteristics of male turkeys, here are some tips for distinguishing them from females:
- Size – Toms are substantially larger. A turkey over 20 pounds is definitely male.
- Colors – Males are brightly iridescent while hens are plain brown.
- Head – The bald head and fleshy decorations identify a male.
- Fans – A turkey fanning its tail or drooping wings is a tom.
- Gobble – A resonant gobbling call always indicates a male is nearby.
Following these clues makes identifying male turkeys straightforward. They really stand out visually and behaviorally from females.
Magnificent Mating Displays
In spring mating season, male turkeys put on elaborate shows to attract females:
- They fan their tail feathers into a huge 180-degree circle, like a giant feather cape.
- They drop their wings downward until they nearly touch the ground.
- The fleshy head decorations become engorged and brightly colored.
- All this makes the toms seem puffed-up and massive.
By strutting slowly with this transformative feather display, toms try to intimidate rival males and impress potential mates. It’s an incredible wildlife spectacle!
Impressive Size and Strength
The large stature and musculature of male turkeys reflect their power and fitness:
- Adult toms stand about 4 feet tall and weigh 16 to 40 pounds.
- Their thick legs end in feet with sharp talons used for scratching and fighting.
- The breast muscles are massive for powering wing beats.
- The snood and wattles signal the tom’s aggressive moods.
Even without flashy feathers, the sheer physical size and strength of a tom turkey commands respect from other animals. These are formidable birds!
Vibrant Iridescent Feathers
In the right light, male turkeys shine with dazzling iridescent plumage:
- Bronze and purple iridescence on the chest and body feathers
- Bright white barring on flight feathers
- Green and coppery sheen on the lower back and tail
The iridescence results from intricate feather structures that reflect light. This hidden brilliance is part of what makes toms such regal birds!
Bizarre Fleshy Decorations on the Head
The odd bumps and flaps of skin on a male turkey’s head look almost alien:
- The snood – a flap hanging over the beak
- The wattles – bumps under the chin
- The caruncles – nodules and ridges on the head
These fleshy growths can change size, length, and color. They allow toms to signal their mood and fitness during mating season. Definitely one of the turkey’s strangest qualities!
Frequency of Entities:
tom: 35
male turkey: 7
hen: 11
female turkey: 4
snood: 5
wattle: 4
gobble: 4
feather: 7
Turkey Problems & Removal
Turkeys can remember their food sources, so failing to secure garbage cans, cover garden crops, or clean up spilled birdseed is likely to keep the pests returning to yards. When they get used to humans, these large birds may become quite intimidating as they try to assert dominance over people and pets. Aggressive males even attack their own reflections in shiny cars and windows during mating season. Since wild turkeys can carry chlamydiosis and salmonellosis, which are transmissible to humans, homeowners should rely on the professionals at Critter Control to identify and handle these pest birds. Name
How to Identify a Wild Turkey
Wild turkeys are known for being wary, constantly alert to movement around them. This ability is vital, since the large, plump birds make inviting meals not only for families around Thanksgiving, but for a variety of predators as well. Male turkeys can be identified by their fan-shaped tails, fleshy red wattles and snoods on their beaks, and dark, mottled plumage with a bronze-green sheen. Their small, bare-skinned heads may be bright blue or red. By contrast, females look drab and are about half as large. The pests use their slender but strong legs and clawed feet to remove debris while they look for nuts, berries, snails, and insects.
Once almost hunted to extinction, wild turkeys are making a big comeback across the United States. The pests favor densely forested areas, though they may also move into backyards and fields to seek out food or mates. They can typically be found foraging during the early morning and making loud gobbling noises that carry long distances. While sometimes confused with ring-necked pheasants, grouse, and other game birds, turkeys are larger by far. They are further identified from pheasants by their large tails and from grouse by their featherless heads.
Turkey Identification – Turkey Hunting for Beginners
What is the difference between a Turkey and a hen?
Let’s begin with the basics of distinguishing male wild turkeys (gobblers) from females (hens). Gobblers are larger-bodied birds, with a darker coloration, at times appearing almost black. In bright sunlight, their feathers cast a brilliant bronze or metallic iridescence.
What does a tom turkey look like?
They have darker feathers, especially on their chest, with a bright metallic shine. Tom turkeys also have a long beard from the center of their chest that can grow as long as 10 inches. Their heads are a mix of red, white, and blue coloring. Male turkeys also grow large, sharp spurs on the backs of their legs, just above their feet.
What are the differences between male and female turkeys?
In some birds, the differences between males and females are quite obvious. Others might take a DNA test to know for sure. Turkeys fall somewhere in between. Domestic turkeys tend to be a bit harder to sex than wild ones, especially when they are young. Keep reading to learn about the differences between male and female turkeys! Visual Differences
How much does a male turkey weigh?
Males weigh up to thirteen pounds and females weigh 6 to 8 pounds. Both males and females are 24 to 36 inches long with a wingspan of 26 to 30 inches. While male turkeys have more impressive plumage and display distinctive tail fan, only females have head feathers. All male turkeys are completely bald!