Few sights evoke Thanksgiving nostalgia like a plump turkey adorning the holiday table But beyond its rotund body, the turkey has several distinctive features that make it immediately recognizable Most eye-catching is the flap of bumpy red skin dangling conspicuously from its neck called the wattle. Despite its prominence, the wattle remains mysterious to many. What exactly is the purpose of this fleshy extra skin?
The wattle is a specialized anatomical trait found on male and female turkeys as well as some other bird species. It sprouts as a turkey chick develops and becomes more pronounced as the bird matures. The wattle starts small but enlarges and sags considerably in adult turkeys.
What’s the Point of the Wattle?
The wattle serves several important functions for the turkey:
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Heat Dissipation – The wattle’s thin skin and exposed surface provides an effective means of releasing body heat. Since birds don’t sweat, the wattle assists with temperature regulation.
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Courtship Display – During mating season, the wattle becomes engorged with blood, doubling in size and turning brilliant red. This visually amplifies the male’s appeal to females.
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Communication – Fluctuations in the wattle’s size, texture and color communicate the turkey’s mood. It shrivels and pales when the bird feels fear, and plumps up when excited.
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Balance – The wattle’s pendulous weight at the front of the neck helps counterbalance the weight of the tail feathers at the back. This improves the turkey’s balance.
So the unsightly wattle serves critical purposes related to the turkey’s health, social interactions and physical abilities.
The Wattle Up Close
The wattle dangles from the turkey’s neck along with two other fleshy adornments – the snood and caruncle. Here’s a guide to telling them apart:
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Wattle – The long, pendulous flap under the beak. The largest of the neck appendages.
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Snood – A fleshy antenna-like projection over the beak. Usually longer in males.
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Caruncle – A smaller lobe of skin near the base of the upper neck.
The wattle and other neck flaps consist of erectile tissue that fills with blood. This allows rapid changes in size and coloration. The skin contains oil glands for waterproofing and keratin bumps called papillae.
Is the Wattle Edible?
While visually unappealing, the wattle is entirely edible. It has a similar texture to the dewlap on a clam. The flavor is mild with a faint poultry essence. Chefs may trim off the wattle before cooking for aesthetic reasons. But leaving it on poses no culinary issues.
Some cultures consider the wattle a delicacy. Fried turkey wattle is enjoyed as a snack in parts of Latin America. Wattle also occasionally appears in soups or gravies to add thickness.
While wattles are safe for consumption, proper cleaning is important as the crevices can harbor bacteria. A vinegar soak helps purge any trapped germs.
A Telltale Sign of a Turkey
The turkey’s distinctive wattle is nature’s identifier that you’re looking at no ordinary bird. It also reveals a lot about the turkey’s current state based on subtle changes in its size and color.
Next Thanksgiving when you spy a plump turkey on the table, take a closer look at the wrinkly wattle. While not the most visually appealing feature, this specialized flap of skin is an integral part of what makes a turkey a turkey!
wattle: 18
turkey: 16
neck: 7
skin: 5
fleshy: 3
bird: 3
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.