The turkey, a large bird native to North America, has specific terminology used to distinguish its members by sex and age. Understanding this nomenclature is helpful for wildlife observers, hunters, and anyone interested in the biology of these birds. The various names reflect observable traits, from vocalizations to physical development, highlighting key differences between males and females.
The Specific Terminology for Adult Males
The adult male turkey is most commonly known as a Tom or a Gobbler. Tom is the simplest designation for a mature male, while Gobbler refers to the bird’s distinctive and loud mating call. This vocalization is primarily used by the male to attract females and establish dominance over rival males.
Physical differences between the male and female are extensive, with the Tom being significantly larger, typically weighing between 11 and 24 kilograms in the wild. The male’s plumage is vibrant and iridescent, often displaying metallic hues of bronze, copper, and green. This striking coloration is particularly noticeable during the breeding season, serving as a display to potential mates.
A prominent feature of the adult male is the beard, a tuft of coarse, modified feathers that protrudes from the chest. The length of this beard generally increases with age, providing a visual indicator of maturity. Toms also possess sharp, bony projections called spurs on the back of their legs, which are used primarily for fighting other males in contests for dominance.
The male’s head and neck are largely featherless and covered in fleshy growths that become intensely colored—red, white, and blue—when the bird is excited. These growths include the caruncles, which are bumpy, wart-like structures, and the snood, a fleshy appendage that hangs over the beak. A longer snood is thought to be more attractive to females, making these features important in sexual selection.
The Specific Terminology for Adult Females
The mature female turkey is simply called a Hen. Hens are notably smaller than Toms, weighing about half as much, with wild females typically falling into the 5 to 11-kilogram range. This size disparity is one of the easiest ways to differentiate the sexes.
The plumage of the Hen is much duller, consisting of muted shades of brown and gray that provide effective camouflage. This less vibrant coloration is important for survival, especially when the Hen is sitting on a nest and needs to remain hidden from predators. Unlike the male’s iridescent feathers, the female’s feathers are designed for blending into the surrounding environment.
Hens generally lack the prominent secondary sex characteristics that define the Tom. The fleshy caruncles and snood are present but are much smaller and less vividly colored. While the beard is a hallmark of the male, only a small percentage of Hens (estimated to be between 10 and 20 percent) will develop a small beard.
Hens either lack the leg spurs entirely or possess only small, undeveloped versions. Vocalizations also differ significantly, as the female does not produce the loud gobble, instead communicating with a variety of yelps, clucks, and purrs. These calls are often used for communication within the group, such as the assembly call a mother uses to gather her young.
Names for Juvenile Turkeys and Collective Groups
The generic term for a baby turkey is a Poult, which is used regardless of sex, similar to the term “chick” for other fowl. As the young birds mature into their first year, they acquire sex-specific names that indicate their immaturity. A juvenile male is called a Jake, while a juvenile female is called a Jenny.
Jakes are distinguishable from mature Toms by their smaller size and beards that are only a few inches long, often appearing thin or scraggly. Jennies are also smaller than adult Hens, but the physical differences are less pronounced than those between the males. These terms apply until the birds reach full maturity, typically around one year of age.
When discussing turkeys in a group, the most common collective noun is a Rafter. This term describes a gathering of turkeys, whether they are roosting in trees or foraging on the ground. The more generic term Flock is also frequently used by the general public to describe any group of birds. Groups of male turkeys are sometimes referred to with less formal terms, such as a Posse or a Gang.