Did you just drive by a passel…a group…a waddle…a gobble…a flock…of turkeys? Wait…what? What IS a group of turkeys called? Let’s find out!
Turkeys are a familiar sight in the fall season, whether as decoration, the centerpiece of a holiday meal, or even wandering through the woods in the wild. But when we see a group of turkeys together, what is the proper term for that group? The answer may surprise you!
Common Names for a Group of Turkeys
While we often think of a “flock” when referring to groups of birds, a flock is not the only term used for turkeys. Here are some of the most common names for a group of turkeys
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Rafter: This is the traditional term for a group of turkeys, hearkening back to their habit of roosting high up in trees and rafters. When not in use, it fell out of favor but is still technically correct.
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Flock: The generic name for a group of birds, including turkeys, geese, chickens, and songbirds. It is a common default term.
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Gang or Mob: Used to describe larger, noisy groups of male turkeys (“toms”), especially in spring when they are competing for mates.
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Posse Another term for a male-only group of older turkeys
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Raffine An old-fashioned term meaning a large group of turkeys, occasionally still used in rural areas where turkeys are common.
Origins of “Rafter” for Turkeys
So where did this distinctive term “rafter” come from in the first place? There are a few prevailing theories:
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Early domestic turkeys were housed in barns and had a habit of roosting up in the eaves and rafters at night, high off the ground. Thus, a “rafter of turkeys” may refer to where they preferred to sleep.
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Wild turkeys also prefer to roost in high tree branches rather than on the ground, for safety from predators. Again, the height may have inspired the name.
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The word “rafter” is thought to derive from the Greek word “rhaptein” meaning “to stitch together”. A rafter of turkeys may refer to the effect of seeing many turkeys side-by-side in a line with their feathers interlocking.
Regardless of its exact origin, a rafter of turkeys conjures a lovely image of these large, social birds perching together overhead.
Naming Juvenile Turkeys
In addition to group names, baby turkeys less than 4 weeks old also have special names:
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Poults: The term used for newly hatched turkey chicks, akin to calling baby chickens “chicks” or baby ducks “ducklings.”
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Jakes: Male turkeys less than 1 year old.
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Jennies: Female turkeys less than 1 year old.
Once turkeys reach adulthood after about 4 months, they are simply called hens and toms. But while growing up, poults, jakes, and jennies are terms that distinguish the youngest turkeys.
Other Fun Turkey Group Names
While rafter and flock cover turkeys in most everyday situations, there are a few more fanciful terms when referring to a group of turkeys:
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Bach: An old word for a group of male turkeys, sometimes used poetically.
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Dole: An archaic Southern term for a group of turkeys, referring to “doling” them out as food.
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Gobble or Squabble: Both playful terms referring to the cacophony of turkey calls.
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Confusion: Fitting for a loud, chaotic group of excited turkeys!
So next time you see a group of turkeys, you have several suitable options at your disposal. But whether you opt for the traditional “rafter” or a more generic “flock”, it’s clear turkeys have some of the most distinctive and charming group names in the bird world.
How Many Turkeys are in a Rafter?
But what does it take to make a real bonafide rafter? How many turkeys do you have to count to shout out, “Hey guys! it’s a rafter of turkeys!” When you see a group or rafter of turkeys, there will be two or more found together. And yes, by all means, shout it out!
Why Is a Group of Turkeys Called a Rafter?
But why, oh why, are they called rafters? What’s the history behind the name?
When I first learned that a group of turkeys is called rafters, my first thought was dinosaurs. Was it because they looked like a raptor? It didn’t quite make sense. But then it did make sense when I thought about it in terms of this explanation:
So, because of this, a group of turkeys is known as rafters.
Flock of turkeys terrorizing North Side neighbors
FAQ
What are turkey hens called?
What is the flock of turkeys?
Is a group of turkeys called a posse?
How many turkeys is considered a flock?
What is a flock of turkeys?
As with many other wild birds, the term flock is used to describe a group of birds that are foraging, flying, or just staying with each other. Wild Turkeys are also sometimes known as “a run,” a word that references the tendency for these big birds to duck their heads and run into dense vegetation.
What is a group of wild turkeys called?
The wild turkeys are also known as run of turkeys. The wild males and females also have different group names. A group of male wild turkeys is called a posse, while a group of female wild turkeys is known as a poult. When do turkeys flock together? Most of the time in a year, turkeys will stay in the form of large flocks according to their gender.
Why is a group of turkeys called a rafter?
Aside from their behavior, another theory as to why a group of turkeys is called a rafter is because, in Greek, rafter means “stitch together,” which was then used to describe a group of turkeys in the 15th century. Why Is a Group of Turkeys Called a “Gaggle”?
How many turkeys are in a flock?
Wild turkeys usually gather in groups of 10 to 20 birds, consisting of females and their offspring. Males may occasionally join these groups but are more likely to form their own ‘male-only’ flocks. Turkeys are particularly widespread in Connecticut, where flocks of up to 100 individuals have been recorded.