Animal agriculture exploits turkeys on a massive scale, treating these living, feeling birds as commodities rather than the sentient individuals they are.
The U.S. meat industry takes the lives of around 250 million turkeys each year—around 46 million for Thanksgiving alone—and most are hidden from the public eye inside factory farms.
Birds are often portrayed as a symbol of freedom, gliding as one with the wind, something we can only dream of when we take to the sky in airplanes. While they fly only short distances, wild turkeys can fly at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour and reach treetops where they spend their nights roosting together.
But on factory farms, a turkey’s whole world is a crowded, barren, and dirty shed. Commercially raised turkeys can’t fly like their wild counterparts—but their mobility is even more limited: some can barely walk or stand. Often, they become debilitated by the weight of their own bodies, bred to grow quickly to a size that maximizes meat production while the birds pay the price. As they suffer throughout their shortened lives, their most natural behaviors and social groups are denied to them.
At Farm Sanctuary, where turkeys live in peace, we are lucky enough to see their personalities unfold and witness the capabilities of their impressive minds. Meanwhile, the world of science is also learning more about these animals often mistakenly viewed as unintelligent.
The sight of a turkey taking flight can be quite astonishing Despite their bulk and awkward appearance on the ground, wild turkeys are actually capable of briefly defying gravity with powerful bursts of airborne speed Just how fast can these large, ground-dwelling birds fly when threatened or seeking refuge in high branches?
Why Wild Turkeys Can Fly
While domesticated turkeys are bred to be heavy and unable to fly, their wild cousins retain impressive aerial abilities For wild turkeys, the ability to fly is crucial to their survival. When chased by predators like coyotes or bobcats on the ground, flight allows turkeys to make a quick escape
Turkeys also fly up to safety each night, roosting in high tree branches away from prowling predators. Their flying skills let them swiftly evade danger and access important resources.
Average Top Speed of Wild Turkey Flight
When fleeing danger, wild turkeys can achieve air speeds of 40-55 mph. This rapid velocity allows them to quickly dart away from threats on the ground or take off to reach high tree branches.
While surprising for such large, heavy-bodied birds, these bursts of flight don’t last long. Turkeys are built for sprinting through the air over short distances, not endurance flying. After quick take-off, their top speed rapidly decelerates.
Built for Short Bursts of Powered Flight
The wild turkey’s muscular physiology explains their outstanding speed but limited flight time. Large breast muscles provide the power needed for vertical take-off and rapid acceleration.
However, turkeys lack the aerodynamic lightness and stamina for sustained flight. Their heavy bodies and short, broad wings make them ill-equipped for lengthy air travel.
Once aloft, turkeys swiftly tire. So while remarkable, their flight is confined to mostly horizontal dashes or short hops up to tree roosts. These brief bursts suit their purposes beautifully.
Lack of Sustained Flight Limits Distance
Since turkeys are only built for acute sprints through the air, their flights cover short distances. Powerful vertical launches let them achieve height rapidly but horizontal travel is limited.
Wild turkeys typically fly 100-200 yards before requiring rest. Enough to clear a road or field, but not for lengthy migrations. With an average flight range of around 600 feet, turkeys rely on their legs for most daily travel.
Domestic Turkeys Lack Flight Capabilities
Selectively bred for meat production, domestic turkeys are too massive for flight. Broad breasts laden with white meat hamper their ability to become airborne. With wings too small to support their weight, domestic turkeys are completely earthbound.
Only leaner wild turkeys retain the impressive flight prowess that once allowed the ancestral species to elude predators. Their sprinting flight abilities reveal the athleticism concealed within the turkey’s quirky physique.
Roosting High in Trees Overnight
One key reason wild turkeys continue to fly is to spend nights safely off the ground. At dusk, turkeys use their flying skills to ascend around 6-60 feet up into trees.
Roosting in branches keeps them safe from coyotes, foxes and other nocturnal hunters. Shortly after dawn, turkeys flap down and resume foraging on the forest floor.
Surprising Agility in the Air
Watching wild turkeys take gracefully to the air reveals an unexpected grace and power. While they lack stamina, their ability to sprint 55 mph down woodland trails or explode vertically into the treetops is undeniably impressive.
This survival adaptation allows wild turkeys to evade threats in their environment despite their hefty proportions. Next time you see a plump turkey waddling slowly across a field, remember they can dash through the skies at highway speeds when needed!
Turkeys Learn From Each Other
Culture among animals is defined as the ability to share and learn behaviors—information passed through generations, much like in human families and communities. Turkeys learn complex behaviors from each other.
Turkeys Are Loving Mothers and Babysitters
Linda Burek / Shutterstock
Turkey on the Fly
FAQ
How fast can a turkey run mph?
Turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 miles per hour and are capable of flying as fast as 55 miles per hour (in short bursts).
Can turkeys fly 55 mph?
It eats a variety of foods, from fruit and nuts to fern fronds and insects. And, in fact, contrary to popular myth, turkeys can and do fly–they can fly up to 55 miles per hour for short distances!
Can a wild turkey run 20 mph?
Did you know wild turkeys can run up to 20 mph? That’s faster than most of us after Thanksgiving dinner They can even fly short distances up to 50 mph—yes, wild turkeys can actually fly!
How far can a wild turkey fly?
They are capable of short flights only, usually covering a maximum distance of around 400 meters (just under a quarter of a mile). How fast does a wild turkey fly? The average speed of a wild turkey in flight is an impressive 90 km/h (55 mph), but these cumbersome birds cannot sustain this pace for long periods of time or over long distances.
How fast can a Turkey fly?
Turkeys were not created for long-distance flying. The most they can fly at a given time is around 100 yards. How Fast Does a Wild Turkey Fly? Even though a turkey has a bulky body, it can actually fly at a speed of up to around 55 mph.
Can wild turkeys fly up high?
Since wild turkeys feed on the land, they are commonly misunderstood for not flying up high. Busting this myth, these birds can soar for short bursts and can stay near the ground. How Far Can Wild Turkeys Fly?
Can a Turkey fly over a long distance?
Turkeys cannot fly over long distances but they can make flights in short bursts. They usually do this for two reasons: to escape predators and to fly into trees. Turkeys usually pick a tree which is near to both water and food sources.
How do wild turkeys fly?
A wild turkey’s wings are capable enough to take sudden rapid flights; they mostly sit in the flying or their “cupped” position, ready to fly off when need be. This technique helps them get away from an attacker, hunter, or predator; just a burst of leg energy and flap of large wings.
Why do Baby Wild turkeys fly so fast?
This is because a turkey’s reserves of the chemical glycogen, needed to maintain a strength while airborne, is used up quickly during flight. What age can baby wild turkeys fly from? Baby wild turkeys, known as poults, first start to fly from around 4 to 5 weeks after hatching.