Let’s go over parts of a turkey, how to cut up a whole bird and how to cook each one best. 3 diagrams will show you where each one is.
Do you know all the parts of a turkey and where they are on the bird? Wondering how to position it if your recipe calls for the breast side facing up? Let’s show you where each piece is, how to cut it apart and ways to cook a moist turkey whole or dismantled. (affiliate links present)
Come Thanksgiving, millions of Americans will sit down to feast on turkey. But do you know what the different parts of a turkey are actually called? This guide covers turkey anatomy, from the fleshy snood to the keratinized spurs.
Head and Neck
Several distinctive features are found on a turkey’s head and neck
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Snood – A fleshy protuberance that hangs over the beak. Longer on male turkeys.
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Caruncles – Fleshy growths on the head and neck They become more prominent on male turkeys.
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Wattles – A fleshy flap of skin under the chin. Both sexes have them.
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Beak – The hard, pointed mouthpart of a turkey.
Body
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Breast – The upper front part of the body containing the pectoral muscles. This is the lean white meat.
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Wing – Used for balance and limited flight. Has feathers used for display.
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Thigh – The upper joint of the leg with darker, fattier meat.
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Drumstick – The lower part of the leg below the thigh joint.
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Back – Where the wings attach along the spine. Contains bone and darker meat.
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Tail – Found at the rear above the anus. Used for balance and display.
Male Features
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Beard – A tuft of stiff, hair-like feathers projecting from the breast.
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Spurs – Pointed spikes on the legs used for fighting.
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Fan – Rows of flashy feathers on the tail used in mating displays.
Lesser-Known Parts
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Dewlap – A fold of loose skin on the neck. More prominent on toms.
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Snood – A fleshy growth over the base of the beak.
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Pope’s nose – The fatty tail nub where tail feathers attach.
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Wishbone – The furcula, which aids in flight. Found in the chest cavity.
Feet and Legs
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Shank – The scaled part of the leg above the foot, like an ankle.
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Spur – A pointed keratinous growth used for fighting.
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Toe – Turkeys have four toes, three facing forward and one back.
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Claw – Pointed keratin at the end of each toe. Used for scratching and grip.
Inside the Turkey
When you cut into the turkey itself, you’ll find:
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Breast muscles – The large pectoralis major and minor.
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Leg muscles – Including the gastrocnemius, peroneus longus, and others.
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Organs – Like the heart, lungs, kidneys and intestines.
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Skeleton – Bones including the keel, femur, wishbone and vertebrae.
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Skin – Connective tissue, fat and collagen covering the muscles.
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Cartilage – Provides flexibility, especially around bone joints.
So next Thanksgiving when you marvel at the size of the turkey’s breast or gnaw on the drumstick, you’ll know exactly what body part you’re eating!
Turkey Head Differences from Chickens
Turkeys have some key differences from chickens when it comes to head anatomy:
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No comb on top of head, instead a snood over the beak. Longer in males.
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Fleshy growths on head and neck called caruncles. Also more prominent in males.
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Wattle hanging from under the chin. Both genders have them.
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Long, slender neck that enables head movement.
Turkey Feet and Toes
Turkey feet have four toes:
- 3 toes pointing forward
- 1 hallux toe pointing backward
- Leaves distinctive print with hallux nail indentation
On the ends of the toes are pointed claws used for grip and scratching. The scaled part of the leg above the foot is the shank, like an ankle.
Male Turkey Special Markings
Male turkeys, called toms, have some special markings used in mating displays:
- Beard – Tuft of bristly feathers on the breast
- Spurs – Pointed spikes on legs for fighting
- Fan – Long flashy tail feathers fanned out
Tracking Wild Turkey Footprints
Look for these clues to identify wild turkey tracks:
- Three toes pointing forward, one back
- Mark of hallux nail behind other toes
- No claw marks since wild turkeys have dull claws
- Ability to distinguish right vs left foot
So whether you’re hunting, birdwatching, or carving the Thanksgiving bird, you’ll now know the proper names for all the unique parts that make up a turkey!
How do you separate turkey legs and thighs?
It is all about finding the joints when it comes to separating the two. We show you here how to deconstruct a raw turkey here. That post will show you in detail how to remove all 5 pieces from the carcass. From there you can cook each one in all sorts of ways, choose your fave;
Parts of a Turkey Diagram
Ok so I have three different pictures here for you. One is drawn below and a side view so you can really see where the thigh and drumettes are since in the other s those are a bit hidden. Let’s go over all 5 first shall we. You will get two of each per bird, other than just one turkey neck.
The last two dark meat selections will come off as one piece. If you wanted to cook whole turkey wings you could do so but I prefer them separated. Legs and thighs will come off together as well and will need to be parted as well unless you want to cook as whole quarters. For the ideal “doneness” it’s best to part ways.
parts of a turkey
FAQ
What is the beard on a turkey called?
As male turkeys mature, they developed a clump of slender, fibrous feathers in the center of their breast, which is referred to as a beard or a tassel. A turkey’s beard resembles a horse’s tail, except it’s shorter and on the front of the body.
Do turkeys have talons or claws?
Turkeys use their large feet and sharp claws to dig up roots, tubers and other treats. Keep an eye out for small areas with a scratched or disheveled look.
What is a turkey body parts diagram?
Moving on to the neck, the turkey body parts diagram shows the neck as a long, slender structure that connects the head to the body. It is covered in feathers and allows the turkey to move its head and reach for food. Connected to the neck is the breast, which is the meaty part of the turkey that is often used in cooking.
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.
Which part of a turkey sits on top of the body?
The **back** is the bony part of the turkey that sits on top of the body. While it may not be consumed in its entirety, it is often used in making delicious stocks and broths due to its rich flavor. The **neck** is the long, slender part of the turkey that connects the head to the body.
How does a turkey head differ from a chicken’s head?
For example, a turkey’s head (shown in Figure 1) differs from a chicken’s head in several ways. A turkey does not have a comb on the top of its head. Instead, it has a fleshy growth from the base of the beak known as the snood. The snood is longer in males and hangs down over the male turkey’s beak.
How do you cut a turkey into parts?
Spurs – Pointed spikes on the legs used for fighting, only found in males. Breast size – Hens tend to have a larger, meatier breast proportionate to their smaller body size. Follow these steps for cutting a whole turkey into parts: Remove the wings by cutting through the joints where they meet the body.
What does a wild turkey look like?
A wild turkey is instantly recognizable for many reasons. These birds are big — sometimes tipping the scales at more than 20 pounds — but what most often catches our eyes is the bright red skin that hangs from the birds necks. This fleshy, bumpy skin has a name: the wattle.