It’s fun to see wild turkeys strutting through backyards and neighborhoods. But can wild turkeys fly? And if they can, how fast are they? Depending on what you’ve heard, the answers might surprise you.
Turkeys are a popular bird, especially around Thanksgiving. But can these large, awkward-looking birds actually fly? The answer is not so simple
An Overview of Turkeys
There are two main types of turkeys – wild turkeys and domesticated turkeys raised on farms. Wild turkeys are slimmer and more agile than their domesticated cousins. They have strong legs suited for running through the woods, and they roost in trees at night. Domesticated turkeys, on the other hand, have been selectively bred to be plumper with more white meat. This makes them pretty clumsy on their feet.
Wild Turkeys Can Definitely Fly
Wild turkeys are able to fly short distances at speeds up to 55 mph. Their wingspan ranges from 4 to 5 feet They can fly up to a mile at a time
At night, wild turkeys fly up into trees to roost. This helps protect them from predators on the ground. When startled, they will quickly take flight to escape danger. Though they don’t migrate long distances, their ability to fly short distances is a key survival skill.
Domestic Turkeys Are Too Big to Fly
On the other hand, domestic turkeys cannot fly at all. They have lost the ability through selective breeding. Farmers bred turkeys to have broader breasts and more white meat. This made them too heavy to get airborne.
Domestic turkeys would not survive long in the wild. They lack the agility to evade predators and the ability to fly up to safe roosting spots. These turkeys rely on farmers to keep them safe and well-fed.
Why the Confusion About Turkeys Flying?
So why does a myth persist that turkeys can’t fly? There are a few likely reasons:
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People often see wild turkeys walking on the ground rather than flying. Their bulkiness makes them look unlikely to fly.
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Domestic turkeys, which most people are familiar with, cannot fly due to their extra weight.
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Wild turkeys only fly short distances when necessary, not long migrations. This makes their ability to fly less obvious.
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Turkeys spend nearly all their time on the ground foraging for food. They walk through fields pecking at seeds, berries, and insects.
Next time you see a turkey walking awkwardly, remember – it may just be conserving energy. When needed, wild turkeys can still take to the skies!
More Turkey Facts
Here are some additional fascinating turkey facts:
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Adult male turkeys are called toms, females are hens, and babies are poults.
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A group of turkeys is called a flock or rafter.
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Their excellent daytime vision is 3 times better than a human’s.
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Turkey droppings indicate their sex – J-shaped for males, spiral for females.
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The flap of skin over a turkey’s beak is called a snood. It can change color and size.
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Wild turkeys have 5 subspecies in North America, including the Eastern turkey.
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Conservation efforts brought wild turkey numbers from 30,000 to 7 million since the 1930s.
So next Thanksgiving when you sit down to eat turkey, remember that their wild cousins have an innate ability to take flight! Domesticated turkeys may be flightless, but they found an evolutionary niche on farms. The turkey’s diverse skills show how amazing adaptation can be.
How high can turkeys fly?
You’re not going to see turkeys soaring in the sky like a hawk. They do fly up into trees to roost at night, and that’s about as high as you’ll see them go. They might go a bit higher if trying to escape a predator, but the treetops are about the limit.
Why do so many people think turkeys can’t fly?
“Turkeys spend so much time on the ground eating and socializing with other turkeys that people think of them as ground birds,” Erickson says. “And many people are more familiar with farm turkeys than with wild ones. Although they belong to the exact same species, farm turkeys have been bred for many, many generations to have heavy pectoral muscles—the muscles that power the wings.”
Erickson says those larger pectoral muscles make it too heavy for their wings to support. Every once in a while, some farm turkeys can fly, but most cannot.
Turkey on the Fly
FAQ
Can turkeys fly or not?
Wild turkeys can fly and have a top flight speed of about 55 miles per hour. Wild turkeys can fly and have a top flight speed of about 55 miles per hour. Wild turkeys see in color and have excellent daytime vision, three times better than a human’s eyesight, with a visual field of more than 270 degrees.
Is turkey a flightless bird?
Turkeys are commonly considered in popular rhetoric to be flightless, but wild turkeys can, indeed, sustain short bursts of airborne activity. The wings of turkeys both wild and domesticated are highly cambered, which means that they demonstrate appreciable curvature from the leading edge to the trailing feathers.
How fast can a turkey run or fly?
TURKEY FACT #6: They may look off-kilter — tilting their heads and staring at the sky — yet they’re fast. Turkeys can clock 18 miles per hour on foot and up to 50 miles per hour in flight. TURKEY FACT #7: Move over, American bald eagle.
Can a turkey fly higher than an ostrich?
Can a turkey fly higher than an ostrich? Answer: Yes, because ostriches don’t fly.
Can wild turkeys fly?
Yes. Wild turkeys can fly. They forage on the ground, but at night, they will fly to the top of trees to roost. This helps protect them from predators lurking around at night. Not only will they fly up into trees, but they will also fly away from a scare or predator nipping at their heels.
How fast can a wild turkey fly?
Once airborne, a wild turkey will quickly reach its intended roosting spot, or land on the ground a safe distance from the threat that spooked it into flight. On land, wild turkeys can cover far more ground, reaching running speeds of around 40 km/h (25 mph). How high can wild turkeys fly?
Why do turkeys have to fly?
The wild birds have to fly because they often roost in tall trees at night. It’s not clear exactly where the myth turkeys can’t fly originated. However, these birds tend to spend most of their time on the ground.
Do turkeys fly fast?
Yes, wild turkeys can fly short distances at surprisingly fast speeds up to 60 miles per hour. They will often fly up into trees to roost at night, keeping them safe from predators. But it’s rare to see turkeys fly. Plus, domesticated turkeys (those raised to live on farms) don’t always fly.
How high do wild turkeys fly?
Wild turkeys usually fly low to the ground. Their typical flight takes them high enough to reach branches of trees. They favor picking branches around 6 to 9 meters in height, but they can go as high as 15 meters if needed. These altitudes provide them with a vantage point to spot potential dangers and offer protection from many ground predators.
Are turkeys flightless?
(Height, Speed, Distance + FAQs) Domestic turkeys are classified as flightless birds, with it almost impossible to imagine their plump bodies ever being able to gain enough lift off the ground to become airborne. Is the same true for free-roaming turkeys, or can wild turkeys fly?