Turkeys are a popular poultry bird, especially during the Thanksgiving season. But if you’ve never seen one up close, you may be wondering – just how tall do turkeys grow? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the average height of both wild and domesticated turkeys.
Wild Turkey Heights
Wild turkeys are native to North America and still roam free in many parts of the continent. The average height of a male (tom) wild turkey is about 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall. Female (hen) wild turkeys are noticeably smaller, averaging around 3 feet (91 cm) in height.
These averages can vary slightly depending on the subspecies There are six wild turkey subspecies remaining in North America
-
Eastern wild turkey – The largest subspecies, found throughout the eastern half of the United States Eastern toms average 4 feet tall.
-
Osceola wild turkey – Very similar in size to the Eastern. Found in pockets of Florida.
-
Rio Grande wild turkey – Slightly smaller than Easterns, averaging 3.5 feet tall. Lives in the central plains of the U.S.
-
Merriam’s wild turkey – Shorter and stockier than Easterns with more white-tipped feathers. Grows to around 3.5 feet tall. Found in the Rocky Mountains and northwest.
-
Gould’s wild turkey – The smallest wild turkey subspecies, only reaching 2 feet tall. Only found in small areas of Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico.
-
Ocellated wild turkey – A different species found only in the Yucatan Peninsula. Similar in height to North American wild turkeys.
Domestic Turkey Sizes
Domestic turkeys are much larger than wild turkeys due to selective breeding by humans. The average height of a male domestic turkey is between 2.5 to 3 feet (76 – 91 cm) tall. Hens are slightly shorter, ranging from 2 to 2.5 feet (61 – 76 cm) tall.
For domestic turkeys though, weight is a more useful measurement than height. Some bred varieties like the Broad Breasted White can weigh over 40 pounds, even though they aren’t much taller than wild turkeys!
The large commercial turkeys raised on farms are unable to mate naturally due to their size. Smaller heritage breeds are closer in proportions to wild turkeys, only reaching 16-24 pounds in weight.
Maximum Turkey Heights
The tallest wild turkey ever recorded was a massive Eastern tom shot in Wisconsin in 2015. It measured 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 meters) tall and weighed a whopping 38 pounds!
For domestic turkeys, the potential maximum height depends on the breed. Smaller heritage breeds top out around 2.5 to 3 feet tall. The largest commercial breeds can potentially reach up to 3.5 feet in height if allowed to fully mature.
However, turkeys raised for meat are slaughtered at a much younger age, usually under six months old. This prevents them from reaching their absolute full adult size. A commercial hen is typically butchered at just 16-19 weeks old and under 20 pounds in weight.
Why Male Turkeys Are Taller
In most bird species, the males are larger than females. For wild turkeys, the reason often comes down to mating behaviors and strategies.
The male turkeys compete aggressively with each other for territory and access to hens during breeding season. Their large size establishes dominance and also protects against predators.
The male’s height allows him to survey his surroundings while displaying to females. Their long legs can also deliver powerful kicks to fend off rivals or predators when needed.
Since hen turkeys don’t compete for mates in the same way, they benefit more from being smaller and more agile. Their petite size also requires a bit less food, an advantage while nesting.
Tips for Cooking Large Turkeys
When cooking a holiday turkey, it’s important to make sure it will fit inside your oven! Here are some general size guidelines based on oven dimensions:
-
Small Toaster Oven (12-15 inches tall) – Avoid whole turkeys, opt for a turkey breast instead.
-
Standard Oven (15-17 inches) – Holds a 12 to 15 lb turkey.
-
Large Oven (17+ inches) – Fits turkeys up to 18 lbs or more.
-
Professional Range (25+ inches) – Can accommodate commercial 20+ lb turkeys.
No matter the size, allow 2-3 inches of clearance on all sides in an oven-safe pan. Flattening the breastbone can also help large birds fit better in smaller ovens.
The Takeaway
While domestic turkeys can grow very large, wild turkeys are much more modest – only around 3 to 4 feet at maximum. Even the biggest domestic breeds aren’t over 3 feet tall since they’re slaughtered young.
Knowing the average turkey height is useful whether observing them in the wild, raising them yourself, or cooking one for a holiday meal. With the right techniques, even a sizeable turkey can fit inside most standard oven sizes.
So next time you see a turkey, take a moment to appreciate their impressively tall and statuesque proportions! Their height is a key part of what makes turkeys such a majestic bird.
The Four Keys to ID
- Size & Shape Wild Turkeys are very large, plump birds with long legs, wide, rounded tails, and a small head on a long, slim neck.
Relative Size
One of our largest and heaviest birds; smaller than a Trumpeter Swan; about twice the size (and four times as heavy) as a Ring-necked Pheasant.
goose-sized or largerMeasurements
- Both Sexes
-
- Length: 43.3-45.3 in (110-115 cm)
- Weight: 88.2-381.0 oz (2500-10800 g)
- Wingspan: 49.2-56.7 in (125-144 cm)
© D. Bruce Yolton / Macaulay Library
- Color PatternTurkeys are dark overall with a bronze-green iridescence to most of their plumage. Their wings are dark, boldly barred with white. Their rump and tail feathers are broadly tipped with rusty or white. The bare skin of the head and neck varies from red to blue to gray.
© Brian McKenney / Macaulay Library
- BehaviorTurkeys travel in flocks and search on the ground for nuts, berries, insects, and snails. They use their strong feet to scratch leaf litter out of the way. In early spring, males gather in clearings to perform courtship displays. They puff up their body feathers, flare their tails into a vertical fan, and strut slowly while giving a characteristic gobbling call. At night, turkeys fly up into trees to roost in groups.© Tim Laman / Macaulay Library
- HabitatWild Turkeys live in mature forests, particularly nut trees such as oak, hickory, or beech, interspersed with edges and fields. You may also see them along roads and in woodsy backyards. After being hunted out of large parts of their range, turkeys were reintroduced and are numerous once again.
© Michael J Good / Macaulay Library
Wild Turkeys in the Rocky Mountains tend to have whitish tips to the rump and tail feathers, whereas other populations have rusty or chestnut tail tips.
Adult male (Western group)
Or Browse Bird Guide by Family or Shape
Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin
Wild Turkey Photos and Videos
Our free app offers quick ID help with global coverage.
Look at How Tall These Turkeys Are.
FAQ
How big is a full grown turkey?
One of the main differences is size. Toms are grown to an average live weight of 41 pounds, while hens average 17 pounds.Dec 11, 2019
How tall does a turkey stand?
How to Identify Wild Turkeys. A Wild Turkey can stand four feet tall, with a large, bulky body covered with bronzy, iridescent feathers.
How many inches long is a turkey?
The male typically weighs between 11 to 24 pounds and is 39 to 49 inches long. The female, significantly smaller than the male, weighs 5 to 12 pounds and is only 30 to 37 inches long.
How old is a turkey with a 12 inch beard?
As turkeys age to three and beyond, the beard length extends to 12 inches, but it will rarely grow beyond 12 or 13 inches because it will touch the ground as they walk, and excess fibers will be rubbed away. Turkeys sometimes grow multiple beards, but it has nothing to do with age.
How big a Turkey is a hen?
The average male turkey, or “tom,” can be 4 feet tall and weigh up to 25 pounds, while the average female or “hen” is 3 feet tall and around half the weight of a male turkey. 4. Wild turkeys are omnivorous. They eat a varied diet of mostly grass and grains but also insects, nuts, berries, and small reptiles. Wild turkeys are opportunistic foragers.
How big is a domestic turkey?
The Domestic Turkey has a wingspan in the range of 59.1”-70.9” (150-180 cm) and total weight of 29.8-86 lb (13.5-39 kg). The body of the Domestic Turkey has an overall length between 39.4”-49.2” (100-125 cm), body width of 15”-18.5” (38-47 cm), and standing height of roughly 25.6”-31.5” (65-80 cm).
How much does a turkey weigh?
Throughout, the birds strut slowly about, with the neck arched backward, their breasts thrust forward and emitting their characteristic ‘gobbling’ call. [citation needed] The domestic turkey is the eighth largest living bird species in terms of maximum mass at 39 kg (86 lbs). [citation needed]
How big do wild turkeys get?
Photography by Levi Glines Wild turkeys are the largest members of the order Galliformes – chicken-like birds – with males ranging between 11-24 pounds and 39-49 inches in length, and females around 5-12 pounds and 30-37 inches. Plumage is generally dark brown with lighter, banded primary wing feathers.
How big is a turkey compared to a male?
The female, significantly smaller than the male, weighs 5 to 12 pounds and is only 30 to 37 inches long. Despite their large size, wild turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 mph and fly up to 55 mph. The male has a featherless, red head and throat and a body covered in red, bronze, and gold iridescent feathers.
What are some wild facts about turkeys?
While you are likely familiar with the Wild Turkey (especially this week!), you may be surprised to learn these wild facts: 1. Turkeys are fast. Turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 miles per hour and are capable of flying as fast as 55 miles per hour (in short bursts).