As Thanksgiving approaches, turkeys take center stage. But while we’re familiar with these large, festive birds overall, many people don’t know the names for the distinctive anatomical features on a turkey’s neck. The bumpy red flap of skin hanging underneath a turkey’s chin and the fleshy growth on top of their head have specific names – read on to learn all about the wattle and caruncle.
An Overview of the Turkey’s Neck
The neck of a turkey contains some distinct anatomical features not found on most other birds Namely, the wattle and caruncle are two types of fleshy growths that dangle from a turkey’s neck and play important roles.
The most noticeable part is the wattle, which refers to the flap of wrinkled, bumpy, red skin hanging from underneath the turkey’s chin. Its texture is irregular and warty, resembling a prune or deflated balloon.
The caruncle refers to the more irregularly shaped, fleshy red patch sitting on top of the turkey’s head and neck. It has a bumpier texture than the wattle and sits just behind the wattle, above the eyes.
The Wattle
The wattle comes in many shapes and sizes depending on the turkey. Some of the most common wattle types include:
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Snood – A long, slender wattle drooping over the top of the beak.
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Dewlap – The wattle hanging from the chin and throat area
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Beard – Thin, hair-like wattles protruding from the chest.
Male turkeys, also called toms, have much larger and more pronounced wattles than females. During mating season, the wattle fills with blood and becomes a vibrant red color to attract females.
In addition to mating displays, the wattle serves functions like heat dissipation. The bare skin releases excess heat on hot days. Wattles also cushion blows to the head during fights and signal the bird’s mood based on color changes.
The Caruncle
The caruncle is the red, bumpy patch of skin on the turkey’s head and neck. It sits behind the wattle, above the eyes. Unlike the wattle’s smooth surface, the caruncle has a very irregular, lumpy texture. Its color ranges from red to blue or white.
The caruncle serves similar purposes as the wattle, including heat release, cushioning, and social signaling. Along with the wattle, it also helps identify the turkey’s gender, species, and attractiveness.
Purpose and Function
- Heat dissipation from the bare skin
- Visual social signals based on color changes
- Cushioning the head from blows during fights
- Identifying gender, mood, health status
- Attracting mates as sexual characteristics
- Differentiating turkey species
So while they may look strange to our eyes, the wattle and caruncle are multipurpose anatomical features that play integral roles in the life of wild turkeys.
Other Birds With Wattles
Wattles and caruncles are not exclusive to turkeys. Many other birds also have these fleshy decorations, including:
- Chickens
- Pheasants
- Cassowaries
- Curassows
- Grouse
- Cranes
- Jacanas
- Gallinules
However, the turkey’s prominent wattle and caruncle are among the largest and most distinctive in the entire avian world. They are a trademark of turkey anatomy.
Uses in Cooking
The wattle and caruncle are edible, though they don’t contain much meat. The wattle can add flavor to stocks and broths when simmered. The caruncle is sometimes added to gravies for texture. But most people remove them before cooking the turkey itself.
Turkey Trivia
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Ben Franklin preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as America’s national bird.
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Male turkeys are called toms, females are hens, and babies are poults.
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Only male turkeys gobble. Hens make yelps and clicks.
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A group of turkeys on the ground is called a rafter, while a group in trees is called a gang.
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Turkey vultures get their name from their red heads resembling a wattle, but they aren’t closely related to turkeys.
So next time you see a turkey, take a moment to admire its unique neck anatomy – the distinctive wattle and caruncle dangling from its chin and head. While odd-looking to us, these fleshy growths serve many important purposes for one of America’s most iconic birds.
Anatomy of a Turkey:
A typical Thanksgiving dinner in America, has turkey. What is the story behind these birds? Some of the turkey you buy in a store, whether a whole turkey, turkey breasts, or sliced turkey, comes from farms. However, there is a large population of wild turkeys in the United States and a few other countries. These wild turkeys are large birds with some unique characteristics. Benjamin Franklin actually proposed that the turkey be the countrys bird rather than the bald eagle as turkeys are very intelligent and survivors.
What causes a turkey neck ?
FAQ
What is another name for a turkey neck?
A dewlap neck, or ‘turkey neck’ refers to the appearance of the skin below the chin.
What is the turkey gobbler called?
TOM OR GOBBLER: An adult male. WATTLE: A flap of loose skin hanging under the chin and neck. SNOOD: A flap of skin that hangs down over the beak. Females prefer to mate with long-snooded males, and male turkeys defer to males with longer snoods.
What is the turkey neck skin called?
Turkey wattle is kind of fun to say. On turkeys, it’s even kind of fun to watch them wobble back and forth. On humans, however, a turkey wattle is not really that fun at all. Turkey wattle is the colloquial term for loose, sagging skin underneath the chin.
What is the part of the turkey neck that hangs down?
Wattles are an adaptive feature that come in handy in several ways. On a hot day, with the sun bearing down, the bare skin of neck and wattle helps release excess heat. Birds don’t sweat—they can’t sweat—so the turkey is otherwise trapped in its dense, dark feathers.
Why is it called Turkey Neck?
It’s called turkey neck because it resembles the skin on a turkey’s neck (turkey’s wattle). Turkey neck is common in older adults but can also occur in younger people who have lost a lot of weight. Several treatment options for this condition include creams, diet, exercises, and surgery. What is a wry neck?
Which part of a Turkey is connected to the neck?
Connected to the neck is the breast, which is the meaty part of the turkey that is often used in cooking. The diagram also highlights the wings, which are located on either side of the body. Turkeys have two wings, each with three main sections: the primary feathers, secondary feathers, and tertiary feathers.
What causes a turkey neck?
Turkey neck can be caused by several factors, but it’s usually because of age. Most people begin to lose collagen by the time they turn 30 (collagen is the protein that makes the skin firm and plump). This causes the skin on the neck to become loose, ultimately resulting in a turkey neck. Other causes of this condition include:
Is Turkey Neck hereditary?
“Turkey neck, sometimes called turkey gobble neck, is basically loose neck skin and muscles,” says Dr. Larry Pollack, a board-certified plastic surgeon affiliated with Sharp Memorial Hospital. “It can be hereditary, but is most often due to aging, UV damage or weight loss.” Dr. What is the part of the turkey neck that hangs down?
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.
How do you know if a Turkey has a snood?
Several distinctive features are found on a turkey’s head and neck: Snood – A fleshy protuberance that hangs over the beak. Longer on male turkeys Caruncles – Fleshy growths on the head and neck They become more prominent on male turkeys. Wattles – A fleshy flap of skin under the chin. Both sexes have them.