In 1782, the turkey narrowly missed out on the bald eagle for being named the national bird of the United States. However, as a symbol of family gatherings and gratitude, the appeal of the turkey throughout the country remains strong. Groups of wild turkeys have roamed North America for centuries and since being domesticated, they also rank as one of the most widespread poultry species kept by farmers. But is a group of turkeys referred to as a flock, a colony, or something different?
Gregarious, sociable birds and turkeys are often gathered in sizable groups, both in the wild and when raised domestically. There isn’t one single name to describe these groups, instead, they vary according to circumstances and include flock, gang, rafter, gaggle, and even posse.
Keep reading to find out when different collective terms for a gathering of turkeys should be used, as well as some fascinating insight into how these noisy, iconic poultry organize themselves within their social groups.
Gregarious, sociable birds, turkeys are often seen gathered in sizable groups, both in the wild and when they are raised domestically
Turkeys are very social and unique birds that have some interesting behaviors when they flock and roost together. As a result, groups of turkeys are known by several unusual and distinctive names like a “rafter” and a “gaggle”. But a flock is the most common term used.
In this article, we’ll explain the different names people use for a group of turkeys and why those words make sense based on turkey behavior. We’ll also cover topics like:
- Why turkeys flock together
- How many turkeys are in a typical group
- The terms for male, female, and baby turkeys
So whether you’ve seen a huge flock of wild turkeys or are just curious about their group names, read on to learn more about these large, entertaining birds!
What is a Group of Turkeys Called?
The most commonly used term for a group of turkeys is a “flock”. This is very similar to most other birds that gather together in large groups.
However, there are also two other unique names people use to describe a group of domesticated or wild turkeys:
- A “rafter” of turkeys
- A “gaggle” of turkeys
Both of these fun names come from the vocalizations and behaviors that turkeys display when flocking and roosting together Let’s look at the explanation behind each term
Why is it Called a Rafter of Turkeys?
Referring to turkeys as a “rafter” comes from their roosting behavior. Although wild turkeys spend most of their time on the ground they always fly up to roost and sleep in trees at night.
This helps them avoid predators like coyotes, foxes, and bobcats that could catch them easily on the ground while sleeping. By roosting up high, turkeys remain safe from these nocturnal hunters.
Even domesticated turkeys retain this instinct and will fly or walk up to a high roosting spot like a barn rafter at night. When a group gathers together on the rafters, it looks like a “rafter” full of turkeys, hence the name.
Why is it Called a Gaggle of Turkeys?
The term “gaggle” refers to the vocalizations that groups of turkeys make. Both male and female turkeys are very vocal and social. They communicate with a variety of clucks, purrs, and the males make the iconic “gobble” sound.
Some of the clucking vocalizations can sound like “gah-gah-gah”, similar to geese. This similarity in vocalizations between geese and turkeys probably led to both species’ groups being referred to as a “gaggle”.
The fact that geese and turkeys were often kept together on farms may have reinforced this group name for turkeys over time.
Other Names for Groups of Turkeys
In addition to the three common names above, here are some other fun and unique terms used to describe a group of turkeys:
- A run of turkeys
- A dole of turkeys
- A herd of turkeys
- A mob of turkeys
- A brood of turkeys
- A posse of turkeys
Some of these, like “mob”, refer to the tendency for turkeys to gang up on each other aggressively at times. “Brood” is used for a mother turkey and her poults (chicks).
And “posse” describes a group of young male turkeys, while “dole” means a group that wanders around together.
What is a Group of Male Turkeys Called?
Male turkeys go through distinct life stages with different names:
- Juvenile males: called “jakes”
- Adult males: called “toms”
Groups of male turkeys are called different things depending on the time of year:
- Winter flock: a rafter or gang
- Before breeding season: a bachelor flock
- During breeding season: a harem
The term “gang” is used for jakes ganging up on adult toms. And a harem refers to a tom with multiple female turkeys.
What is a Group of Female Turkeys Called?
Just like the males, female turkeys have specific terms:
- Adult females: called “hens”
- Juvenile females: called “jennies”
Groups of female turkeys are not referred to with any special names. They are simply called a flock, rafter, or brood.
What is a Group of Baby Turkeys Called?
Baby turkeys are referred to as “poults”. Unfortunately there is no special name for a group of poults. They are simply called a group or flock of poults.
How Many Turkeys Are in a Rafter?
Compared to other flocking birds like crows that number over 1,000, groups of turkeys are much smaller.
A typical rafter of wild turkeys only consists of 15 to 50 birds in winter. In the spring when males and females form breeding groups, a rafter may swell to 100-200 turkeys.
But this large size is temporary. After mating, the flocks break up into small family groups again.
Why Do Turkeys Flock Together?
Turkeys flock together for multiple reasons. First, there is safety in numbers from predators like coyotes, foxes, hawks, and bobcats.
More birds means more eyes watching for danger. If one turkey sounds the alarm, the others can run or fly to safety.
Turkeys also gather in flocks for breeding purposes. It allows the males to display, compete, and attract female mates more easily. And the females can choose from many potential mates.
- Protection from predators
- Mating access and choices
- Food and shelter benefits
There are many interesting names used to describe groups of turkeys like “rafter”, “gaggle” and “flock”. These all come from fascinating turkey behaviors, vocalizations and their history being domesticated.
Understanding what these different group names mean provides insight into the social lives of these unique birds. So next time you see a huge winter flock of turkeys, you’ll know they are actually a “rafter” staying warm and safe together!
Conservation and Human Interaction
By the 1900s, North America’s wild turkey population was in trouble. Poaching and habitat destruction have reduced numbers to around 30,000 in total in the United States. Read on to find out how conservation efforts led to a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the wild turkey.
From the brink of becoming a threatened species, turkey populations have boomed to an impressive 7 million wild birds. Concerted conservation efforts have included the creation of protected reserves, reintroduction schemes, and reforestation programs, which have succeeded in providing safe habitats for feeding and breeding.
If you find yourself crossing paths with a flock of wild turkeys, it’s important to behave in an ethical and considerate way, so as not to cause any stress or distress. It’s wise to keep a safe distance, keep dogs on leads, and not make any rushed movements.
A flock of Wild Turkeys foraging in grassland. From the brink of becoming a threatened species, turkey populations have boomed to an impressive 7 million wild birds
Whether it’s a flock, gaggle, rafter, gang, posse or brood, there’s no denying that a gathering of turkeys is an impressive and noisy sight, both in the wild and in farmyard settings.
If you’ve enjoyed wading through the theories behind the collective nouns used for groups of turkeys, you might be interested in learning more about the specific names used for other groups of birds. From the flamboyant ostentation of peacocks, the logical paddle of ducks and the sinister murder of crows, learning about these names adds a layer of intrigue and humor to the study of nature.
Are turkeys always in groups?
Wild turkeys are sociable birds and are most commonly spotted foraging and roosting in groups. Occasionally lone birds are spotted. These are most likely non-breeding younger males who haven’t found a mate. However, during the breeding season, female turkeys may isolate themselves from the flock to find a safe nesting spot to lay their eggs.
What is a Group of Turkeys Called? [3 Secret Group of Turkey Names]
FAQ
What is a grouping of turkeys called?
Is a group of turkeys called a posse?
What is the plural form of a group of turkeys?
What is the flock of turkeys?
What is a group of domesticated turkeys called?
A group of domesticated turkeys is called rafters, as they are mainly found in the rafters of buildings. The people used these rafters to support the roof. These structures provide excellent protection during brutal weather and uncomfortable conditions. Therefore, we refer to a group of turkeys as a rafter.
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.
How do you describe a group of turkeys?
Aside from rafter and gaggle, there are several other ways to describe a group of turkeys. Like other bird groups, another common and well-known term used to describe a group of turkeys is called a flock of turkeys. Other than the three commonly used terms mentioned above, listed below are 14 more ways to describe a group of turkeys:
What is a group of male turkeys called?
A group of male turkeys is sometimes called a Run or Bachelor group. When a male turkey is trying to attract the attention of a female turkey during the breeding season, it can change the color of its head. By pushing more blood into the tissues of the head, males can change the color from pale gray to red.