The turkey wattle is a fleshy growth primarily found on the bird’s head and neck. This distinctive anatomical feature contributes to the turkey’s unique appearance and serves several biological roles. Understanding the wattle offers insight into turkey physiology and behavior.
Anatomy of a Wattle
The wattle is a fleshy, wrinkled flap of skin that hangs beneath the chin and along the neck of a turkey. While both male and female turkeys possess wattles, they are more prominent in males, known as toms. These appendages are highly vascularized, meaning they contain many blood vessels. The wattle is typically a dull reddish or grayish hue, but its color can change rapidly depending on the turkey’s physiological state.
The wattle is distinct from other fleshy growths on a turkey’s head, such as the snood, a fleshy appendage from the forehead, and caruncles, small, bulbous protuberances on the head and neck. Caruncles are also more pronounced in males. Its texture can appear bumpy or warty due to its vascular network. When a turkey extends its neck, the wattle becomes more apparent, appearing as a thin, floppy fold of skin when relaxed.
The Wattle’s Purpose
The turkey wattle serves multiple biological functions, including thermoregulation, mating displays, and communication of health or emotional state. A primary function is heat dissipation, as turkeys do not sweat. Its bare, vascularized skin allows turkeys to release excess heat, especially on hot days when dark feathers absorb warmth. When warm, a turkey may extend its neck to expose the wattle for cooling, tucking it away when cold to conserve heat.
During mating season, the wattle becomes prominent in male turkeys. Blood rushes into the wattle, causing it to engorge and turn bright red. This coloration signals the male’s readiness to mate and attracts hens. The wattle’s size and vibrancy also communicate a male’s health and dominance to potential mates and rivals. Hens prefer males with striking displays, suggesting a correlation between wattle appearance and genetic robustness.
The wattle acts as an indicator of a turkey’s emotional state and health. Rapid changes in blood flow can cause the wattle to shift colors, much like a “mood ring.” If scared or threatened, blood may retract, causing it to appear blue. A pale or white wattle can suggest illness or poor health, such as anemia. These dynamic color changes facilitate visual communication within the flock, conveying information about the turkey’s condition.