Wild turkeys are known for their elaborate courtship displays involving fanning out their tail feathers, puffing out their body feathers, strutting, and making gobbling sounds. These displays play an important role in wild turkey mating rituals and communication. Understanding why turkeys engage in these behaviors can provide insight into their biology and behavior.
What is a turkey display?
Turkey displays are the postures, vocalizations, and behaviors that turkeys use to attract mates and communicate with other turkeys. The most recognizable turkey displays involve:
- Strutting – Male turkeys strut by walking in an exaggerated fashion with their chest puffed out and wings lowered.
- Tail fanning – Turkeys fan out their tail feathers to form a large, circular fan behind their bodies.
- Body feather puffing – Turkeys ruffle their body feathers to appear larger.
- Gobbling – Male turkeys make a loud, resonant gobbling sound.
- Drumming – Male turkeys rapidly beat their wings against their body to produce a drumming sound.
These displays may be performed individually or in combination with other behaviors.
Why do turkeys display?
There are several reasons why wild turkeys engage in elaborate courtship displays:
1. Attracting mates
The primary reason male turkeys display is to attract and court females for mating. Their displays signal their availability, fitness, and dominance to females. The most vigorous, eye-catching displays tend to come from the most fit, dominant males.
2. Competing with other males
Displays also allow males to compete with each other. By strutting, gobbling, and fanning around females, males aim to intimidate rival males and communicate their dominance. Dominant males try to repel subordinates with aggressive displays.
3. Guarding territories
Displays help males define and guard their breeding territories. Strutting around the perimeter of their territory allows males to patrol and ward off intruding males through visual threats and displays.
4. Advertising to females
Courtship displays also help advertise males to any females that may be in the vicinity. Even if females are not present, males will still display to communicate their location and availability to prospective mates.
When do wild turkeys display?
Turkey displays are most common during the breeding season, which generally runs from March through May in most of the wild turkey’s North American range. However, they may display year-round:
- Males begin displaying in early spring to attract females and establish territories.
- Peak displays occur when most females are receptive from March to May.
- Males will continue displaying into summer to guard their territories.
- Juvenile males may practice displays throughout the year.
The frequency and intensity of displays are highest during peak breeding times.
How do wild turkeys display?
Male turkeys have a diverse repertoire of courtship displays. They often combine multiple displays together when trying to impress females:
Strutting
To strut, a male turkey first fans out his tail feathers and slightly crouches while puffing out his body feathers. He then begins walking in an exaggerated fashion, taking high steps with his legs. His chest is pumped out, wings are lowered, and tail is fanned as he struts. Males may strut back and forth repeatedly on their breeding ground.
Tail fanning
Tail fanning involves a male rapidly fanning his tail feathers open and closed, or shaking them back and forth. When fanned, the tail feathers form a large, circular fan that can nearly obscure the rest of the male’s body. Males may fan their tails while stationary or while strutting.
Body feather puffing
To appear larger and more impressive, male turkeys will puff up the body feathers on their chest, back, and wings during displays. This exaggerates the size of their bodies. Males may keep their feathers puffed out as they strut and fan their tails.
Gobbling
Gobbling is the loud, resonant vocalization male turkeys make. To gobble, males first puff out their chest and extend their neck. They then force air through their trachea and vocal organs to produce a loud, Trembling “gobble” sound. Gobbles can be heard from over a mile away by other turkeys.
Drumming
Drumming is when male turkeys rapidly beat their wings against their inflated chests and body. This produces a muffled drumming sound, like beating on a barrel. The wing drumming is often combined with strutting displays.
How do females respond?
When a female turkey notices a male’s displays, she may respond with the following behaviors:
- Walking towards the male while he continues displaying.
- Crouching or laying down submissively.
- Purring or clucking softly.
- Allowing the male to approach her.
If receptive, the female will ultimately allow the male to mate with her. However, females may also ignore, avoid, or even leave the area if they reject a male’s advances. Dominant males tend to elicit the most positive responses from females.
Significance of turkey courtship displays
Turkey displays play a critical role in wild turkey reproduction and behavior. Key features of their displays include:
- Displays act as a courtship ritual that helps turkeys identify, attract, and assess potential mates.
- Males that display most vigorously tend to be healthier, more dominant, and more successful at mating.
- Displays signal a male’s fitness genes, strength, and viability to females.
- Variations in display repertoires may contribute to reproductive isolation between different turkey subspecies.
- Displays help maintain social structure within flocks through demonstrating dominance.
In summary, courtship displays allow wild turkeys to communicate vital information that enables them to navigate their elaborate breeding system and behaviors.
Conclusion
Wild turkeys engage in elaborate courtship displays for several important biological and social reasons. Their strutting, tail fanning, feather puffing, drumming, and gobbling comprise a core part of turkey courtship, communication, territoriality, and mating. These ritualistic displays provide a window into the lives of wild turkeys and how they interact with potential mates and competitors.
