Boogie Birds: The Endearing Art of Dancing Turkeys
Turkey’s get a bad rap. Sure they’re the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving feasts but beyond their role as a once-a-year meal, these big birds don’t get much love. However, one look at dancing turkeys in action reveals a playful, endearing side to these feathered creatures.
As a long-time backyard turkey enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing first-hand the turkey’s impressive moves. When turkeys decide to bust a move, their performances rival professional dancers with their enthusiasm and surprising grace.
While turkeys in the wild don’t spontaneously break into choreographed dance routines, they do have a natural inclination towards frolicking and energetic displays. The male turkey, known as a tom, is especially prone to showcase exuberant movements like spreading his tail feathers, puffing out his chest, or excitedly flapping his wings to attract potential mates. Even the usually more subdued female turkeys, called hens, have been known to join in the fun with a little hopping and skipping when the mood strikes.
Artists Have Taken Notice of Dancing Turkeys
Turkeys’ enthusiasm for movement has not gone unnoticed. More and more artists are paying homage to dancing turkeys in their work, bringing these charismatic birds into the spotlight. From animated gifs to TikTok videos, turkeys are becoming unlikely viral stars.
One particularly popular turkey dance clip comes from TikTok user @joelerkkinenart. In this video, which has over 730,000 views, an animated cartoon-style turkey enthusiastically pops, locks, and break-dances to upbeat music. The turkey’s smooth moves and exaggerated facial expressions make it hard not to crack a smile. It’s easy to imagine that if given the chance, real turkeys would love to show off these kinds of funky dances.
Another charming depiction of dancing turkeys can be found in the numerous animated gifs available on sites like Tenor. Dozens of looping clips feature turkeys tangoing, spinning, and boogying down in colorful digital form. From a twerking turkey shaking its tail feathers to a conga line of turkeys kicking their feet up in unison, these gifs capture the playfulness and passion turkeys bring to their dancing.
Why Do Turkeys Dance?
Seeing turkeys dancing not only brings joy to viewers, but it serves an important purpose for the turkeys themselves. Dance is a key social behavior for turkeys of all ages.
For turkey poults (babies), dancing strengthens social bonds and hierarchy in the flock. Poults will chase, leap, and flap as they play together. This teaches them important behaviors like asserting dominance and reacting to flock mates.
Adult male turkeys rely on dance to find a mate. Toms use dance moves like strutting, drumming (beating their wings rapidly against their body), and overt displays of feathers to entice hens during breeding season. Their performances enable the hens to assess a tom’s health, strength, and suitability as a breeding partner.
Even solitary birds may dance, as it is thought to be a form of self-stimulation and stress relief when they lack social bonds. So dancing plays many roles for turkeys beyond just having fun.
Inspiring A New Appreciation for Turkeys
Seeing the turkey’s natural inclination to dance showcased in art and media helps spotlight these birds as far more than just a meal. Their enthusiasm and charisma revealed through dance make them relatable and lovable.
The next time you see a turkey, look beyond the poultry stereotypes. Underneath those feathers lies a passionate dancer waiting for their chance in the spotlight. So let’s give thanks and appreciation to the turkey for bringing beauty, humor, and vibrancy to the world through their under-appreciated dance moves. All it takes is a little music and motivation for their inner dance superstar to shine.
Your children will learn the moves to this popular Thanksgiving dance song that is sweeping the world. This fun Thanksgiving dance song is great for brain breaks and introducing your Thanksgiving theme. It will also make a wonderful addition to your unit on animals. This song is ideal for preschool, kindergarten and elementary age children. This song is also a HIT performed by children for family nights.
I’m a perky disco turkey because I love to dance. (Wiggle and point disco style) I know this may seem bizarre. (Hold your palms up) It’s the coolest thing to do. (Thumbs up) That’s why I’m such a star. (Bow or courtesy)Chorus: Step side to side, reach high and low. Wiggle your shoulders And make a pose. (Freeze in place momentarily for a photograph) (Repeat) Side to side, high and low. Shake your feathers (wiggle your shoulders and whole body) And point your toes. Now say gobble, gobble, gobble. (Gobble, gobble, gobble.) And a strut, strut, strut. (And a strut, strut, strut.) Do a wobble, wobble, wobble. (Wobble, wobble, wobble.) And then we got stuck! (And then we got stuck!) WOW!Repeat Verse (Sing along)Repeat Chorus Now, we turkey discoed a mighty fine dance. (Wiggle and point disco style) And we’re proud of how we moved. (Bow or courtesy) It was so much fun, we don’t want to be done. (Thumbs up and then shake pointer finger) So, let’s give it one more groove. (Hold your palms up)Repeat Chorus and change last line to: Then we all just said, “Good Luck!” (Hold your fist up)
Brain Breaks Action Songs: Let’s Move!Children will love this energizing collection of fun, interactive activity and dance songs. Exercise, dance and learning go hand in hand. Regular brain breaks enhance attentiveness, concentration and focus. They accelerate learning by allowing children to release their energy, anxiety and stress. Brain breaks also increase circulation, promote physical fitness and coordination. These action, dance and movement songs make it easy to integrate brain breaks into your classroom. They are also great activity songs for physical education, group activities or indoor recess.Includes booklet with lyrics and instructions.
Visit The Learning Station online where you can listen to song samples from our entire collection of award-winning CD’s!