Which Side of a Turkey Has More Feathers? The Surprisingly Logical Answer

As you prepare your turkey for the perfect Thanksgiving feast, you may notice an odd quirk – the feathers seem denser and more numerous on one side. So which side of the turkey has more feathers? The answer relates to how turkeys use their wings.

Turkey Feather Distribution

Turkeys are covered in thousands of feathers that serve a variety of purposes:

• Contour feathers cover most of the body and help retain heat
• Down feathers lie underneath for additional insulation
• Flight feathers on the wings allow turkeys to fly short distances

The flight feathers are the longest, largest, and stiffest feathers. They make up about half of all a turkey’s feathers. And they are predominantly located on one side – the opposite side of the turkey’s dominant leg.

More Feathers on the Non-Dominant Side

So if your turkey appears right leg dominant, the left wing will be more heavily feathered. This extra feathering compensates for the turkey’s tendency to put more weight on its dominant leg. The increased feathers provide more lift to balance them out.

Why does this feathering asymmetry occur? It comes down to how turkeys roost in trees. When perching on branches they flex one leg up while the other remains extended to grip the branch. This standing imbalance developed over evolution to give them more stability in trees.

The dominant leg takes more weight, pressing that side down. So the opposite wing needs denser flight feathers to provide more lift and rebalance the turkey’s weight distribution while roosting.

Determining Your Turkey’s Dominant Side

To figure out which side of your turkey has more feathers, you first need to identify the dominant leg. Here are some tips

• Observe how the live turkey stands – the leg it favors putting weight on is likely the dominant one.
• Examine the legs for size – the thicker, meatier thigh likely indicates the dominant side since that leg gets more exercise.
• Check for spur length – the longer spur is generally on the dominant leg.
• Look for differences in scaling – the leg that appears more scaly often points to the dominant side as it scrapes along the ground more.

Once you’ve determined the dominant leg the opposite wing will have increased feathering. So a right leg dominant turkey will have more feathers on the left wing, and vice versa.

What About Feather Differences in Other Birds?

This pattern of feather asymmetry applies to other birds as well:

• Chickens have more flight feathers on their non-dominant wing to assist with balance.
• Ducks and geese exhibit similar feathering based on their favored side.
• Eagles display this since they often perch on branches.
• Ostriches do not show this asymmetry since they do not fly or roost in trees.

So next time you roast a turkey or carve one for a holiday feast, take a look at the wing feathering. See if you can identify the dominant leg based on the denser plumage on the opposite wing. It’s a fascinating example of how evolution shapes even such minute details as feather distribution.

Cooking Tips for Perfectly Roasted Turkey

Once you’ve solved the feather mystery, it’s time to cook your turkey! Follow these tips for optimally roasted results:

• Thaw the turkey completely in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking.
• Pat the skin dry before seasoning it aggressively with salt, pepper and herbs.
• Place on a rack in a roasting pan to allow air circulation.
• Brush butter or oil over the skin before roasting for maximum crisping.
• Roast breast side up at 400°F, basting every 30 minutes after the first hour.
• Take the temperature in both the thigh and breast to ensure even doneness.
• Let rest for 30 minutes before carving for juicy meat.

With perfectly crisped skin and moist, tender meat, you’ll wow your guests this holiday season!