Turkeys are known for their iconic “gobble” sound but these large birds actually make a diverse array of fascinating vocalizations. Learning about the meanings behind turkey calls provides insight into their social behaviors and communications. In this article, we’ll explore the many sounds of the wild turkey.
An Overview of Turkey Vocalizations
Male turkeys, known as toms or gobblers, are famous for their resounding gobbles, which can carry for over a mile However, hens and juveniles also vocalize with yelps, purrs, clucks and more
Turkeys have at least 28 different identifiable calls. The meanings behind these sounds are based on extensive observation of wild turkeys. While interpretations aren’t exact, context gives good clues into what turkeys are expressing through their diverse vocal repertoire.
The Iconic Turkey Gobble
The gobble is a male turkey’s signature sound. Gobbles serve two key purposes related to breeding:
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Attracting hens – Loud gobbles announce a male’s presence and fitness. The male who gobbles most frequently tends to attract more hens.
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Competition – Vigorous gobbling signals a male’s dominance over rivals. Intimidating other toms helps a male defend his status.
Gobbles are produced by males inhaling rapidly to fill their air sacs before forcing the air out in pulsating bursts through their syrinx. The characteristic rhythm gives gobbles their distinctive cadence.
Gobbling peaks in spring during breeding season but may be heard year-round. Only male turkeys can fully gobble, though hens may sometimes make gobbled-yelps.
Common Hen Vocalizations
While gobblers get all the glory, hens have an impressive vocal repertoire of their own. Here are some of their most common calls:
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Yelps – The quintessential hen vocalization, yelps are a series of high-pitched notes used to locate other turkeys.
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Purrs – Soft murmuring notes that signal contentment. Purrs are frequently made by feeding hens.
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Clucks – Short, conversational clucks that help hens stay in contact with flocks.
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Cutting – Loud, excited series of clucks that attract other turkeys. The turkey version of yelling “hey, over here!”
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Yelps of alarm – High, loud yelps that warn poults to freeze when danger is spotted.
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Assembly call – Extended series of loud yelps that rally the flock back together.
Juvenile Turkey Sounds
Poults and juvenile turkeys have their own distinctive sounds for communicating with mothers and siblings:
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Peeping – Made almost constantly by poults to bond with their mother and siblings.
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Putting – The two-note “pit-pit” call poults use as they get older to stay in contact with the flock.
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Kee-kees – High-pitched kee-kee runs help scattered poults reunite with the flock.
Other Turkey Noises
A few other sounds round out the turkey’s impressive vocal repertoire:
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Tom yelps – Deep, aggressive yelps toms use to compete with other males.
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Whines – Drawn-out pleading sounds males make when courting hens. Transitions to excited gobbling when successful.
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Fighting purrs – Harsh, escalated purrs signaling aggression between males. Accompanies combat.
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Drumming – Vibrating sounds made by male’s strutting displays. Produced by specialized feathers.
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Spitting – Males spit during strutting displays, producing a complementary sound to drumming.
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Wing beats – The thump of wings against a rival’s body during fight. Combines with other fighting sounds.
Far beyond just the gobble call, turkeys utilize an impressive array of vocalizations from purrs to kee-kees and yelps. Their diverse “language” allows complex communication of their needs and social dynamics. Learning turkey sounds provides a window into the hidden lives of these unique birds. Next time you’re in turkey territory, open your ears to their full range of “talk”!
Fly Down or Fly-up Cackle
A cackle usually consists of three to 10 irregularly spaced notes, loud and staccato, increasing in pitch as the call nears its end. The cackle is generally associated with leaving the roost, but can also be heard when a bird is flying up to a roost. A fly-down cackle is good call to tell a gobbler that a hen is on the ground. However, a fly-down cackle often works best if the gobbler is already on the ground before you call. Otherwise, the tom may stay on the roost; waiting for what he thinks is a hen turkey to come to him before he flies down. A fly-up cackle can also be a good tool when trying to locate roosted toms, as it may get a roosted tom to gobble. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys. The gobble is one of the principal vocalizations of the male wild turkey and is used primarily in the spring to let hens know he is in the area. Hunters must be cautious using a gobble, especially on public land where it may attract fellow hunters to your position. It can also be a double-edged sword. A gobble may draw a dominate tom to you looking for a fight or you might drive away less dominant birds who want to avoid a beating. It is often used as a call of last resort. However, it can also be used effectively late in the evening when trying to get a tom to gobble on the roost. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The kee kee is usually a three-note call that lasts about two seconds. A variation of the call, the kee kee run, is merely a kee kee followed by a yelp. The kee kee is the call of lost young turkeys and variations are also made by adult birds. Its often associated with fall hunting and is used to reassemble a scattered flock. It can be used in the spring to make you sound more natural – especially on public land where it may set you apart from all the other hunters using yelps and cutts. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The plain yelp of a hen is a basic turkey sound and is often delivered in a series of single note vocalizations. The plain yelp can have different meanings depending on how the hen uses it, but it is basic turkey communication. It is also commonly used by a hen to communicate with a gobbler during mating season. This is a basic turkey hunting call. If you can yelp, you have a chance of being able to call in a turkey. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when content. It is a low vocal communication designed to keep the turkeys in touch and often is made by feeding birds. This is not a loud call, but is good for reassuring turkeys as they get close to your position. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The putt is a single or several sharp notes. The putt is generally associated as an alarm and usually means the bird has seen or heard something and is signaling danger. This can be useful when you have a gobbler in range, but cant get him to raise his head or stop. However, before putting at a gobbler it is best to have your shotgun ready and on target. Once you raise the alarm by putting, you will have little time to shoot and the bird will take off at the slightest movement. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The tree call is a series of soft muffled yelps given by a roosted bird that sometimes picks up in volume as fly down time nears. Maybe accompanied by soft clucking. It is generally acknowledged as a call to communicate with others in a flock. It can be used to let a gobbler on the roost know you are there. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
There are a wide variety of different sounds or vocalizations made by wild turkeys. Listen to them here.
There are many factors that go into successfully hunting wild turkeys, including calling them at the right place at the right time. Knowing the distinctly different sounds wild turkeys make in specific situations will increase you chances for a successful harvest and make you an all-around better wild turkey hunter.
Sounds courtesy of Denny Gulvas of Gulvas Wildlife Adventures.
The adult hen assembly call is a series of loud yelps, usually a little more emphatic and longer than a standard series of yelps. The assembly yelp is used by a hen to assemble her flock or young poults. It is a good call in the fall when trying to call a scattered flock back together. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck consists of one or more short, staccato notes. The plain cluck often includes two or three single note clucks. Its generally used by one bird to get the attention of another and a good call to reassure an approaching gobbler that a hen is waiting for him. This is a great call while trying to encourage gobbler to come into range if he starts to hang up. It can also be used while birds are still on the roost to subtly let a gobbler know you are there. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck and purr is a cluck followed by a rolling, almost staccato call. It is often associated with flock talk or the feeling of contentment. Typically not a loud call, though sometimes it can be amplified, it is good for reassuring turkeys as they get close to your position. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Loud, sharp clucks that are often mixed with yelping. Cutting is a sign that turkeys are excited, not alarmed. Cutting has several uses in hunting. If a gobbler is henned up, and one of the hens is cutting, you can cutt back in an attempt to bring her to you. You will want to mimic her calls, while cutting off her vocalizations and being a bit more excited. The goal with this tactic is to lure a dominate hen to you for a fight, often times bringing the gobbler with her. You can also cutt when you have tried soft calling to a gobbler that is hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Similar sounds and notes as a plain yelp but much more excited, rapid and with more volume. This is not a sign of alarm, but indicates that a turkey is worked up about something. If a gobbler is henned up, you might be able to bring him to you by picking a fight with the dominate hen in the flock. Yelp at her excitedly, cut off her vocalizations with your own calls and you might lure the hen, and the gobbler with her, to you. You can also use an excited yelp when you have tried soft calling to a gobbler that is hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Turns out what turkeys REALLY like is a good laugh, at my expense. Sound up…
FAQ
What is the sound that a turkey makes?
If you ask most people what sound a turkey makes, they’ll say gobble. That’s only the beginning. They also cackle, cluck, purr, yelp … and a lot more.
What sound to make in a turkey call?
The yelp is the main building block of all turkey calling, and in my opinion the most used sound by turkey hunters. If you were to only master one sound, this would be it. This sound is a two-note call, beginning with a high-pitched “kee” sound and ending with a lower-pitched “yuk” sound.
How does a turkey hear?
The wild turkey has a hole in the side of its head where the sound enters. That hole is covered by what looks like hairs but are actually feathers to protect the ear from objects. Once the sound enters the ear canal, it then will vibrate the ear drum.
What is a female turkey sound called?
The most commonly heard sound in the turkey woods is made by the hen, and it’s called a yelp. Toms also yelp, but it’s louder, raspier and often more drawn-out than that of hens. The yelp is usually delivered in a series of one-note tunes. However, yelps can take on various forms.
Do turkeys make a gurgling sound?
There is a myth that only male turkeys can make the gobble sound; however, hens can make the loud, rapid gurgling, just as chicken hens can crow. A purr is a low, soft, rolling sound, like a kitten’s purr. A contented kitten will make a soft purring sound. A contented turkey also makes a soft purring sound.
What sounds do turkeys make?
Let’s explore the diverse sounds turkeys make and what they mean The gobble is the most recognizable turkey call. Male turkeys, also called toms or gobblers, let out a loud, rapid gurgling sound known as gobbling. It is one of their main vocalizations, especially during mating season in the spring.
What sound does a turkey make during a courtship?
This behavior is rarely witnessed by humans, as it occurs during courtship rituals. Gobble: Perhaps the most recognizable turkey sound, the gobble is primarily associated with male turkeys, although hens can also produce this vocalization.
How do turkeys communicate with each other?
Turkeys communicate with one another by making various noises. Turkey sounds are specific to the age, gender, and function of the sound. Most people think that every turkey makes the gobble call because they are familiar with it. Humans rarely hear most of the sounds made by wild turkeys.
What does a hen turkey sound like?
This sound is typically heard from hens interacting with their eggs or poults, or from feeding turkeys expressing their satisfaction. Putt: When danger lurks, a hen turkey will sound the alarm with a sharp, single or repeated “putt.” This serves as a warning to other turkeys, especially her offspring, to be on high alert.
Why do turkeys make a gobble call?
Turkey sounds are specific to the age, gender, and function of the sound. Most people think that every turkey makes the gobble call because they are familiar with it. Humans rarely hear most of the sounds made by wild turkeys. For communication purposes, they have developed a distinctive set of sounds.