As human beings, we’ve all experienced moments that have made us blush. Yet although having our skin turn pink due to embarrassment is thought to be a uniquely human trait, turkeys have a similar physiological reaction when they experience certain emotions.
When turkeys are scared, agitated, excited, or ill, the pale skin on their head and neck, which is normally light pink or bluish gray, turns a much more vibrant hue—either bright red, blue, or white. This color change is especially common during mating season in both males and females. However, the change is much more pronounced in male turkeys, which are known as gobblers (or toms). During mating season, a gobbler's wattle (the bumpy skin around his neck) and snood (the long fleshy flap that hangs over his beak) can turn bright red due to elevated hormone levels.
There is certainly more to turkeys than meets the eye! In addition to their blushing ability, turkeys are capable of other human-like behaviors. For example, after roosting in trees during the night, turkeys will engage in a “roll call” in the morning to check on the others in their group. They are also capable of recognizing human faces and have even been known to choose favorites!
Gobble gobble!
- The wishbone of a turkey dates back more than 150 million years, serving as a reminder that these birds evolved from a group of meat-eating dinosaurs like the T. rex and Velociraptor.
- There's a good reason why male turkeys are known as gobblers. Only males make that iconic noise, while females cluck and chirp instead.
- Wild turkeys are capable of flying at speeds of up to 50 mph (80.5 km) in short bursts.
- According to Guinness World Records, the heaviest known turkey weighed 86 pounds (39 kg).
- Due to the placement of their eyes on opposite sides of their heads, turkeys have periscopic vision. This allows them to see things that aren’t in their direct line of sight. They are also capable of rotating their heads, giving them a 360-degree visual field.