“When the birds do strut, they may do so for a few seconds or for hours at a time, depending on the situation.” Where do they do it? (And why it matters.)Ī particular gobbler may strut in an open area in the corner of a field, whereas another might choose an old logging road or a flat-topped ridge. “Strutting can and does take place occasionally throughout the year, but is most common prior to the breeding season to determine dominance and pecking order and during the breeding season to identify receptive hens,” Eriken said. “Blood vessels and muscles also control the lengthening and contraction of the snood.” When do they do it?Ĭontrary to popular belief – and what seems like 98 percent of all photographed turkeys – the birds spend the majority of their time in a relaxed, non-strutting position.
#TURKEY SNOOD ERECT SKIN#
“Wild turkey gobblers have the ability to relax and contract small blood vessels in the skin of the head and neck causing changes in the color of the skin,” Eriksen said. When a turkey struts, it contracts the muscles that control feather position, causing the body feathers to stand erect.”Ī similar concept holds true for a group of muscles at the base of the tail and muscles within their wings. “Those muscles are connected to other very small muscles within the skin. “At the base of each feather there are small muscles that provide the ability for birds to move their feathers,” Eriksen said. The ritual looks as unique as it sounds, but still leaves us wondering, how do they do it? The bird will bring its head and neck down into an “s” shape and elongate the snood (or leader) near the base of its beak.Įach of the above components signifies a strut, and during the display, birds typically take a few quick steps, shake and issue two sounds – a sharp “huff” or spitting sound and a deep drumming sound.The head, naked skin and caruncles of a wild turkey may range from blue to bright red or flesh tone.The gobbler will place all the back and breast feathers in an erect position, making him appear larger.The bird will hold its tail in a vertical position and spread its tail feathers to form a fan.Turkeys will drop their wings down to allow the primary wing feathers to touch the ground.The strut of a wild turkey consists of five main components: If you’re not a turkey hunter, you may be wondering what a strutting turkey looks like. Hens also are capable of strutting and will do so to show dominance or, occasionally, in response to a predator threatening a brood. “Optimistic gobblers also may perform the display in the presence of hens outside the breeding season in the vain hope of stimulating a breeding session.” “Outside of the breeding season, strutting is often used as a show of dominance when performed in the presence of other males,” Eriksen said. The displays range from ornate to simple, and all are designed to allow the male to show off his plumage and colors in hopes of suitably impressing a female to result in mating.įolks generally associate strutting with the mating season, but the same display has other meanings in different situations. “The word is used to describe the courtship display of the wild turkey.” “Strutting is an instinctive or innate behavior,” Eriksen said. So why are humans, and turkeys alike, so fascinated with gazing upon all 18 tail feathers of a puffy-fanned gobbler? And how, exactly, is the species capable of producing such a display?Ĭertified wildlife biologist and retired regional biologist for the NWTF, Bob Eriksen, explains the science behind the strut. And, it’s likely you live on the high of seeing another.
If you’re a turkey hunter, chances are you’ve seen a strutting turkey.
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