Happy Thanksgiving, readers! In celebration of the holiday and the delicious meal soon to be consumed, we’re sharing five fun facts about the animal that almost became the United States national bird.
With their large, rounded bodies and somewhat awkward gait, wild turkeys don’t appear to be particularly fast animals. But looks can be deceiving – when needed, wild turkeys are capable of impressive bursts of speed and agility.
So exactly how fast can these large game birds run when on foot? And how quickly can they fly when taking to the air? Let’s take a closer look at the surprising speed and athleticism of the wild turkey
On Land: Wild Turkeys Can Reach 25 MPH
While wild turkeys typically mosey along at a leisurely pace while feeding and traveling, they can sprint at remarkable speeds to escape predators or display for females.
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Maximum Running Speed Up to 25 mph. This is their top speed when escaping danger by foot
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Typical Running Speed: 10-15 mph. Their normal running pace is more moderate.
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For Comparison: The average human jogs at 5-8 mph. An Olympic sprinter may reach nearly 28 mph.
So at full throttle, a wild turkey can outpace most humans on foot. Their strong legs, lean bodies and lightweight bones all contribute to their running speed. Their powerful thighs allow them to escape many predators on land.
In Flight: Wild Turkeys Hit 55 MPH
Turkeys are also capable of explosive velocity when taking flight:
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Maximum Air Speed: Up to 55 mph. They can achieve these speeds using powerful takeoffs.
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Typical Air Speed: 25-35 mph. Their normal sustained flight speed is in this range.
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For Comparison: Peregrine falcons can dive over 200 mph. Geese fly around 50 mph during migration.
While not as fast as some birds, wild turkeys can still achieve quick, evasive flight. Their large wings, which can weigh up to 1.25 pounds, allow them to rapidly gain altitude and speed.
Their flying abilities also help males during elaborate mating displays as they maneuver to impress females.
Agility and Quick Reflexes Help Them Thrive
Beyond pure speed, wild turkeys have impressive agility and reaction times that help them flourish in the wild:
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Quick Takeoffs: They can explode from standstill into flight rapidly to evade predators.
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Tight Maneuvering: Able to swiftly change direction while in flight and on the ground.
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Fast Head Movements: They quickly jerk their heads to spot any threats.
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Strong Perching: Firmly grasp branches with claws to swiftly move up trees.
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Rapid Wing Flapping: Allows sharp aerial movements like avoiding collisions.
These athletic traits minimize their chances of being caught by predators. They evolved as key survival adaptations.
Turkey Displays Showcase Speed and Agility
During spring mating rituals, male turkeys showcase their speed and agility through elaborate displays:
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Fast Strutting: Males aggressively strut back and forth, rapidly turning to face females.
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Aerial Maneuvers: Males fly up to perches, deftly maneuvering to land.
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Wing Brushing: They brush wings against brush for dramatic sound effects.
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Rapid Drumming: Males drum their wings speedily against their inflated chests.
These athletic actions help entice fertile females to mate with the dominant males. The fittest males able to exhibit their physical prowess have greater breeding success.
Ideal Habitat Lets Turkeys Maximize Speed
Wild turkeys thrive in habitats that provide cover for escape while also offering open areas to reach top speeds:
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Forest Edges: Allow quick sprints between woodlands and open spaces.
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Sparse Woodlands: Ample room to run within more open understories.
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Grasslands: Open terrain to flee aerial and ground predators.
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Brushlands: Bushes offer refuge while adjacent open patches provide room to sprint.
In these environments, wild turkeys can fully leverage their surprising speed and athleticism for survival and mating. Their impressive velocity and agility appear perfectly adapted to their habitats.
While they may look somewhat clumsy, wild turkeys are capable of awe-inspiring speed and athletic feats when needed. So next time you see one of these birds casually strutting about, remember they can dash up to 25 mph on foot and 55 mph in flight! Their speed and agility remain key to thriving in the wild.
Believe It Or Not, Wild Turkeys Cross-Train
Though turkeys prefer to navigate their way through the world on land, they are capable of swimming and are fast in flight. If ever there was a sprint triathlon for birds with running, swimming and flying legs, we’d place our money on the turkey.
They’re Approved To Run At Speed In Residential Zones
Wild turkeys can run as fast as 25 miles per hour (and can fly as fast as 55 mph). Since domesticated turkeys are bred to be heavier in weight (roughly double that of wild turkeys, which usually weigh between five and 20 pounds), they can’t run quite as fast–which doesn’t matter much, since they’re so rarely presented with reasons to run at all.
How Fast Can a Turkey Run
FAQ
Can a turkey run 20 mph?
Did you know wild turkeys can run up to 20 mph?Nov 14, 2024
Can wild turkeys fly 55 mph?
And, in fact, contrary to popular myth, turkeys can and do fly–they can fly up to 55 miles per hour for short distances! You will likely see them on the ground, though; they typically remain grounded unless spooked.
How fast can wild turkeys run when they are scared?
Did you know that wild turkeys can run 20 mph when they are scared?! See how fast you can go at the Turkey Trot Oviedo on Thanksgiving Day!
How fast can a Turkey Run?
Turkeys can run surprisingly fast. Wild turkeys, according to numerous sources, can apparently reach 25 miles per hour in a sprint along the ground. There may be some rugged, free-range domesticated turkeys that can get off the ground. But generally, only wild turkeys can fly. How fast can turkeys run and how fast can turkeys fly?
How fast can a tamed Turkey fly?
A wild turkey may reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, but the fastest a tamed bird can go is about 10 miles per hour. This results from domesticated turkeys being developed to have bigger, more meaty breasts and legs at the expense of their ability to sprint and fly.
Why do turkeys run faster?
Turkeys run quicker on level and hard grounds than on soft or uneven ground. Cooler temperature makes turkeys run quicker. Overheating slows turkeys. Turkeys sprint faster to avoid predators. Food and mating prospects may inspire turkeys to run faster. Turkeys are speedier when young and healthy. Turkey running speed depends on breed and heredity.
Are turkeys faster than humans?
Turkeys aren’t a species you’re likely to run away from. In fact, you’re much more likely to be pursuing them. But while wild turkeys may take their time walking around and foraging for food, both their land and air speeds are faster than a human’s. The average jog speed for a human is four to six mph.
Are turkeys good for running?
The anatomy of a turkey is well-suited for running. They have long, strong legs that are well-muscled. Their feet are also well-adapted for running, with sharp claws that help them to grip the ground. In addition to their physical attributes, turkeys also have a number of physiological adaptations that help them to run fast.
How long do turkeys live in the wild?
At sundown, turkeys fly into the lower limbs of trees and move upward from limb to limb to a high roost spot. They often roost in flocks, but sometimes individually. Wild turkeys live about three to five years in the wild.