The image of a wild turkey male, or tom, with its tail feathers erect and fully spread is one of the most recognizable animal displays in North America. This elaborate presentation, known as tail fanning or strutting, is an instinctive behavior that transforms the bird into a large, feathered spectacle. The visual display is often accompanied by a low-pitched “drumming” sound and a short, forceful “spit” as the tom vibrates its feathers. This striking behavior is deeply rooted in the turkey’s biology, serving as a primary method of communication and display.
A Display for Attraction and Courtship
Tail fanning is most consistently observed in male turkeys during the spring breeding season, where it functions as a visual advertisement to potential mates, called hens. The display is a powerful form of sexual selection, signaling the tom’s genetic fitness and overall health. The fan itself is composed of about 18 tail feathers, typically measuring between 12 and 15 inches in length in adult males.
Hens assess a tom’s quality by the size, condition, and uniformity of the fan. An exceptional fan suggests the male has successfully avoided injury and disease, indicating robust genes. This visual signal is amplified by the tom’s fleshy head ornaments, including the snood, caruncles, and wattle. These areas of naked skin change color dynamically, often shifting from pale to bright red, white, and blue as blood flow increases.
The snood, a fleshy appendage that hangs over the tom’s beak, elongates significantly during the strut as it engorges with blood. Research suggests that hens prefer males with longer snoods, which correlates with higher testosterone levels and dominance. The combination of the massive, swiveling tail fan and the brilliantly colored head features maximizes the tom’s appeal. By showcasing his plumage and vibrant colors, the male attempts to convince the hen that he is the most suitable partner.
Establishing Dominance Among Males
While the most common reason for tail fanning is attracting a mate, the display is also a frequent tool in male-to-male competition. Toms use the strut and fan to establish and maintain a dominance hierarchy within the flock. A full, confident display acts as a visual challenge to subordinate males without immediately requiring a physical fight, conserving energy.
A larger, more vigorous fan and strut often intimidates rivals, deterring them from challenging the dominant bird. This aggressive display is important before and during the breeding season as males compete for access to hens. In some instances, related male siblings form small groups, with the subordinate male assisting the dominant brother’s display. This cooperative courtship strategy, an example of kin selection, increases the dominant bird’s mating success, indirectly passing on the subordinate’s shared genes. The use of the fan for dominance is not limited to the breeding season, as males may also strut to re-establish the hierarchy when winter flocks merge or reconnect.
The Anatomy and Mechanics of the Display
The turkey tom’s ability to transition from a normal posture to a full strut relies on specialized anatomy and muscular control. Tail fanning requires a group of small, dedicated muscles located at the base of the tail to raise the rectrices, or tail feathers, to a vertical position and spread them into a perfect semicircle. The tom holds these tail feathers rigid and can swivel the fan to showcase it from various angles.
During the full strut, the turkey also raises its body feathers on the back and breast, a process known as piloerection. This fluffing action is accomplished by tiny muscles attached to the base of each feather, dramatically increasing the bird’s perceived size. The tom completes the transformation by lowering its wings until the primary feathers drag on the ground, creating tell-tale marks as he moves. The head and neck are tucked into the raised back feathers, which further emphasizes the size of the body and the vibrant colors of the exposed skin.
Tail Fanning in Female Turkeys
While the dramatic strut is a behavior most associated with the male turkey, female turkeys, or hens, are also capable of performing a tail-fanning display. This behavior in hens is far less common and less pronounced than the tom’s elaborate courtship ritual. Hens do not possess the same large, uniformly structured tail feathers as males, resulting in a less visually striking fan.
When a hen fans her tail, it is generally not for mating purposes but rather to communicate dominance or aggression within a female group. Hens may also display a subtle strutting behavior in response to a perceived threat, such as a predator near their brood. This action serves to make the hen appear larger and more formidable. The display is a functional tool for social interaction and defense.