That bizarre blob of bumpy, warty red skin dangling from a male turkey’s chin is known as the wattle. This unusual flap of skin has a very specific purpose for turkeys despite its rather unappealing appearance.
The wattle is the red, fleshy growth under the chin of a male wild turkey It is an integral part of the bird’s anatomy, along with the snood (the flap over the bill) and caruncle (the red area on the throat)
Female turkeys have wattles as well but they are much smaller and less pronounced than the males. The wattle changes size and color depending on the bird’s mood and health. When excited or during mating season it fills with blood and becomes a vibrant scarlet red. In times of stress, fear or illness it shrinks and turns pale or even blue.
The Various Functions of the Wattle
The wattle serves multiple important functions for the wild turkey:
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Temperature Regulation – Turkeys do not have sweat glands so the wattle helps release excess heat on hot days. The bare skin of the neck and wattle allows more heat dissipation than the dense, insulating feathers.
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Social Signaling – The wattle plays a key role in mating displays. When male turkeys are courting females, the wattle enlarges and glows bright red to attract them. It signals virility and strength to potential mates.
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Emotional Indicator – As mentioned earlier, the wattle’s color and size changes with the bird’s mood. An enlarged, vibrant wattle indicates contentment while a pale, shrunken one reveals fear or sickness. This visual cue allows other turkeys to perceive each other’s condition.
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Individual Recognition – No two wattles are exactly alike. The unique pattern of bumps and wrinkles helps turkeys recognize and identify members of their flock. Much like human fingerprints or faces.
So while it may look unsightly to us, the wattle is an integral multifunctional organ for the wild turkey. It serves critical purposes ranging from mating to thermoregulation and social bonding.
Why Do Other Birds Have Wattles Too?
The turkey is not the only bird endowed with a wattle. Numerous other avian species also possess these intriguing fleshy growths, including:
- Cassowaries
- Pelicans
- Plovers
- Pheasants
- Chickens
- Storks
- Curassows
- Bellbirds
In most cases, the wattle performs similar functions as in turkeys. It is a sexually selected characteristic used to attract mates and signal health. Wattles also aid heat dissipation especially in hot, tropical climates where many wattle-bearing birds live.
The cassowary’s blue and red wattle is particularly imposing. In roosters, the wattle signals social dominance with larger wattles conveying rank. So across various species, the odd wattle has evolved to serve essential physical and social purposes.
Fun Turkey Wattle Facts
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The average male turkey’s wattle is around 6 inches long. Larger dominant males may have wattles exceeding 12 inches!
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The skin comprising the wattle contains collagen and elastin which allows it to stretch and shrink dramatically.
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Snoods and caruncles also fill with blood and enlarge during courtship. The snood can grow to 12 inches long in mating season.
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Female turkeys find males with large wattles and snoods the most attractive.
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Some turkey breeds like the Narragansett and Bourbon Red have naturally larger wattles.
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Wattles become most colorful and enlarged between February and May during peak breeding time. They are smallest in winter.
-Turkey wattles are edible though they lack flavor and tend to be tough.
The wattle’s knobbly, warty appearance may seem unflattering to our eyes, but it serves a multifaceted role in the life of wild turkeys. From heat regulation to mating displays, the wattle provides turkeys with essential physiological and social functions. Its vivid colors and bizarre shapes also inspired Benjamin Franklin to argue for the turkey as America’s national symbol over the bald eagle. So next Thanksgiving when carving the turkey, take a moment to admire and appreciate this unique appendage in all its scarlet glory!
Anatomy of a Turkey:
A typical Thanksgiving dinner in America, has turkey. What’s the story behind these birds? Some of the turkey you buy in stores, whether it’s a whole turkey, turkey breasts, or turkey slices, 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 suggested that the turkey, not the bald eagle, should be the country bird because turkeys are smart and can survive in harsh conditions.
What’s the thing on the turkey’s neck called?
FAQ
What is another name for a turkey neck?
What is a human turkey neck called?
What is the medical term for turkey gobbler neck?
What is a turkey neck loose skin called?
What is ‘Turkey Neck’?
“What’s known as ‘turkey neck’ is a problem with your neck’s skin, fat or underlying muscle, or a combination of the three,” says plastic surgeon Martin Newman, MD. “It’s often a sign of aging, but younger people can experience it, too. There are many ways to address it, depending on the cause and what kind of results you want.”
What is a wry neck?
The term “wry neck” is a non-medical description of a condition called torticollis. Torticollis is a twisting of the neck that leaves the head turned or tilted to one side, often with an inability to move the head. The cause is unknown and can be present at birth, presumably related to the position of the fetus in the womb that affects the neck muscles. Other potential causes include sleeping in an unusual position, viral infection, or injury. Neck spasm or scarring of the skin or muscles around the neck (as may occur with burn injuries) may lead to torticollis.
What causes a turkey neck?
Dr. Newman says these six factors can cause turkey neck: Aging: Your skin naturally loses elasticity as you get older. “Gravity takes over, and the skin on your cheeks starts to drift down,” explains Dr. Newman. “Your cheek skin then pools underneath your jawline and in your neck.”
What surgeries treat turkey necks?
Surgeries that treat turkey necks include facelifts (rhytidectomy) and neck lifts (platysmaplasty). During these procedures, plastic surgeons remove excess face or neck skin and fat while tightening the skin, muscle and tissue left behind. Facelifts and neck lifts go by many aliases, depending on who’s doing them and how.
What can I do if I have a turkey neck?
To improve your neck’s underlying muscle quality and tone, you can try: Turkey neck exercises: Daily neck exercises can strengthen neck muscles, which may help improve your neck’s appearance. For ideas on moves you can try, ask a dermatologist. Botox® for turkey neck: As the platysma muscles weaken, vertical bands or cords can appear on your neck.
Is Turkey Neck a sign of aging?
Policy “What’s known as ‘turkey neck’ is a problem with your neck’s skin, fat or underlying muscle, or a combination of the three,” says plastic surgeon Martin Newman, MD. “It’s often a sign of aging, but younger people can experience it, too.