A wild turkey is instantly recognizable for many reasons. These birds are big — sometimes tipping the scales at more than 20 pounds — but what most often catches our eyes is the bright red skin that hangs from the birds necks.
This fleshy, bumpy skin has a name: the wattle. Its different from the long piece of flesh that grows down from the birds forehead, which is called a “snood,” according to PBS. Snoods can be short, sticking up like a horn, or long, extending past the nose. The fleshy bumps on the turkeys head and neck are called caruncles.
Both male and female wild turkeys have both wattles and snoods, but they are much more prominent and noticeable in males, called toms. This is helpful during mating season, when extra blood rushes to the wattle, giving it a bright scarlet color. This is one of the primary functions of the wattle, because it helps the toms attract a hen, according to the National Audubon Society.
Wattles are useful for more than just attracting mates, however. When it is hot, the wattle can release excess heat. Turkeys dont sweat, and because their feathers are dark colored, they absorb a lot of heat on hot, sunny days. The skin on their wattle and their bare neck helps them release some of this excess heat, according to the Audubon Society.
The wattle can be a little like a mood ring, too. Blood flow into the wattle affects its color, and when a wild turkey is scared or threatened, the blood retracts from the wattle, making it appear blue, the Audubon Society reports. And if a turkey is ill, the wattle and snood will be very pale or almost white in color.
At this time of the year, we have turkey on the brain, so we are naturally more curious about these birds. And while their wattles may be one of their trademarks, they are hardly the only birds with wattles. Roosters have them, of course, but so, too, do some species of plovers, pheasants, storks, bellbirds and cassowaries, the Audubon Society reports.
The neck of a turkey contains some distinct anatomical features not found on most other birds. Namely, the wattle and caruncle are two types of fleshy growths that dangle from a turkey’s neck and play important roles. But what exactly are these parts called and what purposes do they serve?
The Wattle
The wattle refers to the flap of bumpy, red skin hanging from underneath the turkey’s chin. Its texture is wrinkled and covered in small bumps or warts, resembling a prune or deflated balloon.
Wattles come in various shapes and sizes depending on the turkey. Some of the most common types include:
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Snood – A long, slender wattle hanging over the bill.
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Dewlap – The wattle drooping from the turkey’s chin and throat.
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Beard – Thin, hair-like wattles protruding from the chest.
On male turkeys, or toms, the wattle becomes engorged with blood during mating season, turning a vibrant red color. This helps attract female turkeys. Wattles also assist with temperature regulation, providing bare skin that releases heat on hot days.
The Caruncle
The caruncle refers to the patch of bumpy, red skin on top of the turkey’s head and neck. It sits just behind the snood wattle and above the eyes.
The caruncle often has a more irregular, lumpy texture compared to the wattle’s smooth surface It can vary from red to blue or white in color
Purpose and Function
The wattle and caruncle serve a variety of important functions:
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Heat dissipation – The bare skin releases excess heat from the turkey’s head on hot days.
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Social signaling – Bright red wattles signal dominance and attract mates. Pale wattles indicate fear.
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Sex identification – Wattles are larger in males than females. Caruncles are also bigger in males.
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Head protection – Wattles and caruncles cushion blows to the head during fights.
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Species identification – The shape and size of wattles helps distinguish turkey species.
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Beauty – While strange to human eyes, wattles and caruncles are considered attractive features in the turkey world!
Other Birds With Wattles
Wattles and caruncles are not unique to turkeys. Other birds sporting these fleshy decorations include:
- Chickens
- Pheasants
- Cassowaries
- Curassows
- Grouse
- Cranes
- Jacanas
- Gallinules
However, the turkey’s wattle and caruncle are among the largest and most pronounced in the avian world, making them a hallmark of turkey anatomy.
Uses in Cooking
The wattle and caruncle are edible and safe for human consumption. However, they contain little meat and are not commonly eaten. But the wattle can add flavor to stocks and broths when simmered for long periods to break down its tough tissues.
The meatless caruncle is sometimes added to gravies for texture and gelatin. But most people remove the wattle and caruncle before cooking the turkey itself.
Turkey Trivia
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Ben Franklin famously preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as America’s national bird. He called the turkey “a much more respectable Bird.”
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Male turkeys are called “toms” while females are called “hens.” Baby turkeys are known as poults.
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Only male turkeys gobble. Hens make clicking and yelping sounds.
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A group of turkeys on the ground is called a “rafter.” When foraging in trees, they are a “gang.”
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Turkey vultures get their name from their bald, red heads, resembling a turkey’s wattle and caruncle. But they are not closely related.
So next Thanksgiving when you sit down to eat turkey, take a moment to appreciate the unique wattle and caruncle that once dangled from its neck. These odd yet amazing anatomical features are part of what makes turkeys such distinctive birds.
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TURKEY’s NECK: What’s ON IT? #thanksgiving TRIVIA #sciencefacts
FAQ
What is it called when you have a turkey neck?
What is the part of the turkey neck that hangs down?
What is a turkey’s beard called?
What is another name for a turkey wattle?
Why is it called Turkey Neck?
It’s called turkey neck because it resembles the skin on a turkey’s neck (turkey’s wattle). Turkey neck is common in older adults but can also occur in younger people who have lost a lot of weight. Several treatment options for this condition include creams, diet, exercises, and surgery.
What is a wry neck?
The term “wry neck” is a non-medical description of a condition called torticollis. Torticollis is a twisting of the neck that leaves the head turned or tilted to one side, often with an inability to move the head. The cause is unknown and can be present at birth, presumably related to the position of the fetus in the womb that affects the neck muscles. Other potential causes include sleeping in an unusual position, viral infection, or injury. Neck spasm or scarring of the skin or muscles around the neck (as may occur with burn injuries) may lead to torticollis.
What causes a turkey neck?
Turkey neck can be caused by several factors, but it’s usually because of age. Most people begin to lose collagen by the time they turn 30 (collagen is the protein that makes the skin firm and plump). This causes the skin on the neck to become loose, ultimately resulting in a turkey neck. Other causes of this condition include:
What surgeries treat turkey necks?
Surgeries that treat turkey necks include facelifts (rhytidectomy) and neck lifts (platysmaplasty ). During these procedures, plastic surgeons remove excess face or neck skin and fat while tightening the skin, muscle and tissue left behind. Facelifts and neck lifts go by many aliases, depending on who’s doing them and how.