What Is That Red Thing On A Turkey’s Neck Called?

The wild turkey is one of nature’s most iconic birds. Its impressive size, iridescent feathers, and unique behaviors make it a fascinating creature. But perhaps the turkey’s most distinguishing feature is the strange flap of reddish-pink skin that dangles from its neck and chin. This peculiar piece of anatomy has a name – it’s called a wattle.

Wattles are characteristic of many bird species, but they are exceptionally prominent on male wild turkeys The wattle is that bumpy, fleshy growth that resembles a double chin While it may look odd to our eyes, the wattle serves important purposes for turkeys. Let’s explore what these fascinating structures are all about.

What Is The Wattle?

The wattle is a section of loose, wrinkled skin that hangs from a turkey’s neck right below the beak. It is largest on male turkeys, or toms. The wattle connects to the turkey’s throat and chin, drooping down like a floppy beard or dewlap.

Wattles are usually bright red in color, though they can fade to blue temporarily when a turkey is agitated or fearful. A turkey’s wattle feels thin and flexible, almost like rubber, and is covered in small bumps or protrusions. The surface resembles a raspberry or mulberry.

While most prominent in male wild turkeys, females (hens) also possess small wattles. On males, the wattle grows up to 6 inches long, larger during mating season. The wattle connects to the turkey’s face on either side of the beak

Why Do Turkeys Have Wattles?

Though it may look like an odd flap of skin, the wattle serves multiple important purposes for wild turkeys:

• Cooling: The wattle’s thin skin is filled with blood vessels close to the surface. As blood circulates through the wattle, heat can radiate off, helping regulate the turkey’s temperature on hot days.

• Communication: The wattle’s color signals the turkey’s mood and health. Bright red indicates sexual arousal and good health. Blue hints at fear, anxiety, or poor health.

• Attraction: The wattle’s bright hue and large size, especially in males, helps attract females during mating season. More prominent wattles signal virility.

• Display: Dominant male turkeys often display their wattles in aggression towards competitors. The wattle highlights the male’s prowess.

So while it may look like a redundant flap of skin, the wattle is deeply intertwined with the turkey’s health, communication, and reproduction. It serves both physical and social purposes for these charismatic birds.

Other Features Of The Turkey’s Head

The wattle isn’t the only distinctive feature on a wild turkey’s head. Here are some other anatomical traits of their unique faces:

• Snood – The fleshy projection that hangs over the turkey’s beak. Longer in males.

• Caruncles – Bumps and growths on the turkey’s head and neck. They become more prominent in males.

• Dewlap – Loose folds of skin on the turkey’s neck. Helps amplify mating displays.

• Beard – A tuft of specialized feathers protruding from the turkey’s breast. Present on most males.

Many of these features also help turkeys regulate temperature and communicate during breeding season. The peculiarities of their heads help define wild turkeys.

Why Is The Wattle Red?

The wattle’s distinct red color is produced by blood vessels concentrated near the skin’s surface. The high blood flow results in the vivid reddish and blue hues. As blood patterns shift, the wattle’s color changes quickly to signal the turkey’s mood.

In the same way our skin reddens when we blush, increased blood flow to the wattle creates a rapid color change. Turkey wattles alternate between these settings:

• Red – High blood flow when warm, relaxed, or displaying mating behaviors. Indicates health and virility.

• Blue – Blood retreats when anxious or fearful. Signals submissiveness and poor health in extreme cases.

The wattle’s color-changing ability helps turkeys communicate status and reproductive fitness without making a sound. It’s a useful visual cue during social interactions.

Do Only Male Turkeys Have Wattles?

Nope, the ladies have them too! However, male turkeys sport much larger and brighter wattles, especially during breeding season.

Here are some key differences between wattles in male and female turkeys:

• Size: Male wattles are significantly larger, averaging 5-6 inches long. Female wattles may only be 1-2 inches.

• Color: Males have richer, more vibrant red wattles while female wattles appear dull or brownish.

• Texture: Male wattles are covered in more bumps and protrusions, taking on a craggier texture.

• Visibility: Male wattles are situated more prominently on the front of the neck. Female wattles recede farther back under the chin.

So while wattles occur naturally in both sexes, male turkeys showcase much more pronounced versions. As with other features like snoods and caruncles, the wattle is a dimorphic trait exaggerated in males.

Is The Wattle Only Found On Turkeys?

While turkeys flaunt some of the most dramatic wattles, these unique structures occur on diverse bird species worldwide. Here are a few other birds boasting wattles:

• Cassowaries
• Emus
• Roosters
• Chickens
• Capercaillies
• Pheasants
• Curassows
• Brush turkeys
• Male peafowl

The size, color, and prominence of wattles vary by species. But in most cases, males showcase larger wattles than females. They serve similar biological purposes across these birds, including heat regulation, courtship, and territorial displays.

Next time you see a flashy red wattle dangling from a bird, you can correctly call it by name! These peculiar growths serve crucial functions for turkeys and other wattled species. The wattle may look like an ornamental feature, but it’s far more than just a flap of decorative skin. Its vivid hues and bumpy texture help define the iconic wild turkey.