Every November, turkeys take center stage on dining room tables across America for Thanksgiving celebrations. But have you ever wondered why we call the male turkey a “tom”? As it turns out, there are some fascinating theories behind turkey terminology.
A Brief History of the Turkey in America
- Turkeys are native to North and Central America. The early colonists hunted wild turkeys for food and prized their beautiful feathers.
- In the early 1900s, wild turkey populations hit an all-time low of about 200,000 birds due to overhunting and habitat loss. Aggressive conservation efforts brought numbers back up to around 6.5 million today.
- These conservation efforts were funded in part by hunters and sports enthusiasts through the 1937 Pittman-Robertson Act. This act placed an excise tax on guns, ammo, and archery equipment specifically for wildlife restoration projects.
- Wild turkeys were eventually domesticated for farm production of meat and eggs. Today the U.S. raises over 238 million turkeys annually, almost entirely for meat.
Turkey Terminology for the Males
There are several interesting names and terms used to describe male turkeys:
- Tom – The most common name for an adult male turkey. But why “tom”? Keep reading!
- Gobbler – An adult male capable of making the distinctive gobbling sound.
- Jake – A young male turkey less than 1 year old. Their tail feathers tend to stick up compared to the fan-shaped tail of an adult.
- Stag – Another term used in parts of Britain for an adult male turkey.
So why is the adult male called a tom? Let’s explore some of the fascinating theories behind this traditional name.
Top Theories on Why Male Turkeys are Called “Toms”
1. It’s Short for Thomas
In the 1700s and 1800s, it became fashionable to call adult male animals “Thomas” as a proper name. This included tomcat for male cats and tom turkey for male turkeys. So “tom” likely comes from the name Thomas.
2. It’s Slang for a Male
The term “tom” was also sometimes used as slang referring to a male animal back in the 1700s So calling a male turkey a tom may have been using this existing slang term,
3. It Honors Mr. Turkey himself – Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin famously preferred the turkey as America’s national symbol over the bald eagle But Thomas Jefferson opposed this idea
Some believe Franklin began calling male turkeys “toms” as a joking way to honor Jefferson’s role in choosing the bald eagle instead.
4. It Comes from Young Male Turkeys Called “Tommy”
Young male turkeys were often called “tommy” or “tommy bob” in the mid-1600s. The term “tom” may have derived from this original name for young males.
5. It Refers to the Turkey’s Breast as Like a “Tom Tom” Drum
18th century British sailors called a male turkey’s breast the “tom tom” in reference to its similarities to their drums, also known as tom toms. The name may have shortened from there.
While the exact origin is unclear, these are some of the most compelling theories explaining why the adult male turkey earned the name tom turkey!
Turkey Terminology for the Females
The female turkeys also have some specialized names, including:
- Hen – An adult female turkey.
- Jenny – A young female turkey less than 1 year old.
- Jill – An English term for a female bird, including female turkeys.
Other Turkey Terminology
Here are some other interesting turkey terms and facts:
- Snood – The flap of skin that hangs over a turkey’s beak. It is much larger in male turkeys.
- Wattle – The red flesh that dangles from a turkey’s neck. Also larger in males.
- Beard – The hair-like feathers that protrude from the breast. Present on males and some females.
- Poult – A baby turkey under 4 weeks old.
- Turkey droppings – Can indicate the sex and age. Spiral shape is female, J-shape is male.
So next Thanksgiving when you sit down to gobble up your holiday meal, you can share some fascinating facts on why we call the male turkey the tom! This strange terminology has a long history and many interesting theories behind it.
Turkey Identification – Turkey Hunting for Beginners
FAQ
What is a female turkey called?
Is a male turkey a gobbler or tom?
Which is better, a Tom or hen turkey?
How do you know if a Turkey is a hen or a Tom?
The head and neck of a turkey are key features to look for when trying to differentiate between a hen and a tom turkey. Male wild turkeys, also known as toms, have a larger head and a longer neck than female turkeys, or hens. Toms have a fleshy protuberance on their head called a snood, which can change size depending on the turkey’s mood.
What is a wild turkey called?
Adult male turkeys are called toms and females are called hens. Very young birds are poults and adolescents are called jakes. 3. Patriotic Heads The wild turkey’s bald head can change color in seconds with excitement or emotion. The birds’ heads can be red (pink), white, or blue. 4. Loud and Fast
What is a male Turkey called?
Since turkeys are obviously not cats, the phrase was shortened simply to “tom.” Juvenile males are also known as “jakes,” while the young female turkeys are known as “jennys.” Part of the mating process is attributed to the tom’s ability to “gobble” loudly enough to both attract the hens and dissuade other males. Is a male turkey called a Jake?
Is a Turkey Tom a male or female?
A turkey tom is a male turkey. It is typically larger than a female turkey and has a more pronounced beard. Tom turkeys are typically used for breeding purposes, but they can also be eaten. What are the different parts of a turkey tom?