I was looking for thanksgiving turkey crafts to do with the kiddos this month, and also some coloring sheets, when I remembered something. The more I looked at turkeys, even the simply drawn ones, they all had that red thing dripping off the side of their head.
I’ve seen it called a wattle, too, but according to Time magazine, the wattle is actually the skin folds under the turkey neck that fill with blood and puff the bird up.
The snood might serve a similar purpose, but there doesn’t seem to be a consensus or clear explanation in what I’ve found so far.
On the other hand, the wattle’s funny in it’s own way. Snoods and wattles can vary in color, size, shape, etc. But what’s funny is the wattle seems to also be an indicator of mood.
And the color and such is supposed to tell females nearby that the male’s on the prowl for a date and they may just come flocking over.
And I’m glad I’m not the only one baffled. Many of the turkey-project diagrams I’ve been printing out label that little beak-skin piece the wattle. And yet, that’s not entirely wrong, it seems.
Guess we’ve got something else to argue about come Thanksgiving dinner… better than election crap, I hope.
Any other weirdness you guys and gals have learned about the Turkey, or holiday food, or anything about Thanksgiving at all that would be fun to share? Go for it.
What is That Red Flap on a Turkey’s Neck Called?
As Thanksgiving approaches, turkeys take center stage. These large, unique birds are an iconic symbol of the holiday. When you look closely at a turkey, one distinctive feature often grabs attention – the red, bumpy flap of skin dangling from its neck. So what exactly is this funky fleshy flap called? Let’s unravel the mystery of the turkey’s neck accoutrement.
The technical term for the turkey’s neck flap is the wattle. This piece of loose, wrinkly skin hangs in a fold under the beak and chin. While a bit unsightly, the wattle actually serves several important purposes for turkeys.
Both male and female turkeys have wattles However, they tend to be more prominent and well-developed on males (toms) The wattle’s size, shape and exact color can vary between individual birds. During mating season, a male turkey’s wattle may become engorged with blood, turning a vibrant red to attract females.
The wattle helps regulate body temperature Since turkeys don’t sweat, the bare skin of the wattle releases heat through evaporation. This prevents overheating on hot days The wattle also aids communication within the flock. Subtle changes in size, shape and color convey the turkey’s mood and status. Toms use the wattle for courtship displays. A large, robust wattle signals virility and fitness to prospective mates.
The term “wattle” comes from the Old English word for a flexible piece of metal or wood. Eventually it evolved into a name for the fleshy appendages that hang from the heads of certain birds. Other birds like chickens, pheasants and cassowaries also have wattles. But the turkey’s wattle is the most well-known.
A turkey’s wattle dangles freely with no skeletal attachment. Turkeys have no muscular control over it. The loose skin can move slightly due to changes in blood flow and retention. When a turkey is scared or angry, the wattle may shrink and turn blue as blood retracts. But it has no voluntary movement.
While the wattle may seem like a random flap of skin, it serves multiple purposes:
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Cooling. The wattle releases excess heat through evaporative cooling.
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Communication. Shape, size and color changes convey the turkey’s mood.
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Reproduction. Toms use the wattle to attract hens during mating season.
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Status. A vibrant wattle indicates good health and virility.
The wattle’s irregular, bumpy texture comes from nodules called carbuncles. These are clusters of cells that give the wattle its distinctive lumpy appearance.
During food preparation, the wattle can be left on or removed. It does not affect the flavor or quality of the meat. The wattle is edible, though not commonly eaten. Some mention it has a slightly bitter, earthy taste.
On very rare occasions, the wattle may become infected and swollen. This “wattles disease” requires veterinary treatment. But most of the time, the wattle remains a healthy and hardy neck flap.
So the next time you come face-to-face with a turkey, you’ll know that funky red chin flap is called the wattle. While it may seem like a useless decoration, this unique anatomical feature serves multiple important functions for turkeys. The wattle’s distinctive dangly presence has made it one of the turkey’s most recognizable attributes.
A recovering recluse stumbles from her dark hole in pursuit of a brighter world (and a decent cup of tea)
I was looking for thanksgiving turkey crafts to do with the kiddos this month, and also some coloring sheets, when I remembered something. The more I looked at turkeys, even the simply drawn ones, they all had that red thing dripping off the side of their head.
Apparently, it’s called a snood, but what the hell is it?
And why does it just hang there like that?
I’ve seen it called a wattle, too, but according to Time magazine, the wattle is actually the skin folds under the turkey neck that fill with blood and puff the bird up.
The snood might serve a similar purpose, but there doesn’t seem to be a consensus or clear explanation in what I’ve found so far.
I just find it a bit funny–what the hell is it and why?
On the other hand, the wattle’s funny in it’s own way. Snoods and wattles can vary in color, size, shape, etc. But what’s funny is the wattle seems to also be an indicator of mood.
So, a fleshy mood-ring around the neck?
And the color and such is supposed to tell females nearby that the male’s on the prowl for a date and they may just come flocking over.
Sheesh, the more I read on the turkey, the weirder it gets.
And I’m glad I’m not the only one baffled. Many of the turkey-project diagrams I’ve been printing out label that little beak-skin piece the wattle. And yet, that’s not entirely wrong, it seems.
Confused? Me too. I lost count of the differing explanations I’ve read.
Guess we’ve got something else to argue about come Thanksgiving dinner… better than election crap, I hope.
Any other weirdness you guys and gals have learned about the Turkey, or holiday food, or anything about Thanksgiving at all that would be fun to share? Go for it.
What’s that red thing on a turkey?
FAQ
What is the gobbler on a turkey called?
- Snood: A flap of skin that hangs over the beak. Snoods are more prominent on toms than on hens or jakes.
- Wattle: A flap of loose skin that hangs under the chin and neck.
- Beard: A growth of keratinous filaments that grows from a raised oval of skin called the papilla. Beards can be 7–9 inches or more in length on adult gobblers.
- Spurs: Keratinized appendages that both sexes have, though they are smaller on females.
- Fan: A prominent feature of a tom’s strut.
What does the red thing in the turkey mean?
Many supermarket turkeys come with a little red indicator centered in the breast meat. It’s supposed to pop up when the turkey’s done, giving you the peace of mind to know when to pull the turkey from the oven and let it rest.
What is the purpose of the snood on a turkey?
- Snoods are a form of head ornamentation that male turkeys use to attract females.
- Snood length is a factor in sexual selection, with hens preferring males with longer snoods.
- Longer snoods may indicate better health and fewer intestinal parasites.
What is the purpose of a turkey’s beard?
- Mate selection: Longer beards may indicate older, healthier males, making them better mates.
- Dominance: Beards may signal dominance or a tom’s status relative to other toms.
- Courtship: Toms may showcase their beards when strutting.
- Foreplay: Beards may play a role in foreplay prior to copulation.
What is the Red Thing on a turkey’s neck?
The red thing on a turkey’s neck, aptly called the wattle is a unique and intriguing feature that plays a vital role in the bird’s biology and behavior. This article delves into the world of the turkey wattle, exploring its purpose variations, and significance. The wattle serves as a crucial thermo-regulatory mechanism for turkeys.
What is the Red Thing on a Turkey’s beak called?
The red, rubbery part on a turkey’s beak is called a wattle. Male turkeys use these for courtship purposes. When they want to attract a female turkey their wattles will turn red to woo the female. What is the red thing on a turkey’s beak called? What is the red thing under a turkeys neck?
What is the dangling skin on a Turkey called?
The dangling skin under a turkey’s neck is known as a wattle. The purpose of a wattle is for mating. Along with the snood on a turkey’s forehead, the wattle is used to attract female turkeys for mating. If a turkey’s wattle is large and colorful, female turkeys will prefer it over another male turkey. What are the dangly things on a turkey?
What is a wattle on a Turkey?
This intriguing feature, often referred to as the “wattle,” is one of the defining characteristics of a turkey. **The red thing on a turkey is called a “wattle.”** The wattle, characterized by its vibrant red color, is a flap of skin that hangs down from the turkey’s neck. While it may seem peculiar, the wattle serves several important purposes.
What does a wild turkey look like?
Transcript: Take a close look at a male Wild Turkey—if you dare. This turkey is a hefty four feet of bird, tail tip to beak. Its handsome dark and densely feathered body is topped by a bare neck. And there, dangling from the chin, is a wrinkly mass of bumpy, warty-looking red skin: the wattle.
What is a Turkey snood called?
I’ve seen it called a wattle, too, but according to Time magazine, the wattle is actually the skin folds under the turkey neck that fill with blood and puff the bird up. The snood might serve a similar purpose, but there doesn’t seem to be a consensus or clear explanation in what I’ve found so far.