A bearded hen with a 7 1⁄2-inch beard was caught by Paul Rouse of Bryan’s Road, Maryland. He asked how rare these birds are. Dr. Tom gives us the statistics behind bearded hens and a few notes on their ability to reproduce.
Wild turkey beards emerge from a point on the skin of the upper breast called a papilla. Almost all gobblers have at least one papilla and are capable of growing beards. The average incidence rate of hen turkeys with beards 10%. Hens with beards occur in all five subspecies of wild turkey. Bearded hens are more common in Merriam’s subspecies (19%) and not as common in Osceola hens (less than 1%).
A closer look at banding records for 1,515 Eastern wild turkey hens revealed that 133 hens (8. 7%) had beards. Among the 903 adult hens within that sample of banded hens, 126, or 13. 95%, were bearded; however, of the 612 juvenile hens only 7 (1. 14%) sported beards. There are two reasons for that difference. First, biologists handling wild turkeys seldom check hens for beards unless the beard is visible. Hen beards grow more slowly and are generally thinner (fewer bristles) than gobbler beards. Therefore, beards are less likely found on juvenile hens if captured in their first winter.
The rate of bearded hens may go up as hen turkeys get older, but there is no evidence that the rate changes. It’s more likely that the number of hens that can grow beards stays the same, but young hens don’t have beards that are long enough to be seen.
Most adult bearded hens have beards that are 6 to 8 inches in length. The longest hen beard I have seen was a shade over 9 inches but was quite thin. Bearded hens are capable of laying eggs and raising broods. No research has shown that they are more likely to produce bearded offspring than “clean-shaven” hens.
While most people are familiar with the impressive beards that adorn male wild turkeys known as toms or gobblers few realize that some hens can also grow beards. Though not as grand as a tom’s beard, which averages 10-11 inches, bearded hens are fascinating oddities of the turkey world. But just how rare are they? Let’s take a closer look at the data on these uniquely bewhiskered ladies.
Frequency of Occurrence
Overall, only about 5-10% of hens will develop a beard. However, beard rates in hens can vary quite a bit between different regions and populations. Some areas may see less than 1% of hens with beards, while others have beard rates of 10% or higher. For instance, recent surveys in Texas and New Hampshire found 10% of hens had beards.
Research suggests there may even be a genetic component, with some turkey populations predisposed to higher rates of bearded hens. So while bearded ladies remain relatively rare overall in certain locales they are a more regular occurrence.
Why Do Hens Grow Beards?
In male turkeys, the beard is a secondary sex characteristic linked to dominance and testosterone levels. The beard signals a tom’s status and maturity to other males and helps attract hens during breeding.
But what about in females? Experts theorize that bearded hens may similarly have higher levels of testosterone, putting them higher in the pecking order. Dominant hens may therefore exhibit male characteristics like beards more often. However, research is still limited on this topic.
Myth vs. Reality
Falsehoods abound when it comes to bearded hens. A common myth states they can’t reproduce successfully or don’t lay as many eggs. This is completely untrue – bearded hens nest, breed, and raise poults just like any other hen. Their beards have no bearing on reproductive fitness.
Another tale claims bearded hens produce toms with multiple beards. No evidence supports this belief either. Tom offspring from bearded hens show no difference in beard development from other toms. Mama’s whiskers don’t predestine her sons to have elaborate facial hair.
The biggest myth though is that bearded hens are sterile oddities of no value to turkey numbers. With a long-term decline in turkey populations across much of their range, some now question the ethics and impacts of harvesting bearded hens. But the data shows these special ladies remain productive members of the flock.
To Shoot or Not to Shoot?
With their rarity, unique appearance, and reproductive abilities, bearded hens present an ethical dilemma for some hunters. On one hand, they represent a special trophy and legal game in most states. On the other hand, their relative scarcity leaves some hunters reluctant to pull the trigger.
Advocates for protecting bearded hens argue they’re too valuable to breeding stocks to risk removing. They say passing on the shot shows respect for sustainable hunting. Opponents counter that limited harvests have negligible impacts on turkey numbers. They see bearded hens as a chance at a unique trophy.
With under 10% of hens developing beards, restrained harvests likely pose minimal risk to populations. But hunters should still carefully consider their personal ethics. Some may decide harvesting the occasional bearded hen is acceptable, while others will always err on the side of conservation.
Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer. Turkey management plans permit hunting bearded hens, but hunters must decide for themselves what feels morally correct. As with any hunt, being thoughtful, selective, and respectful should guide the decision.
Reporting Bearded Hens
Responsible hunters should report any bearded hens they harvest to state wildlife agencies. Data on bearded hen occurrence helps agencies monitor these unique turkeys.
Some states even collect beard samples from hens taken by hunters. DNA analysis can reveal if bearded hens in certain areas share genetic traits. This data assists managers in sustainably conserving bearded hen populations.
While bearded lady turkeys have an aura of mystery, research continues to unveil the truth about their rarity, reproduction, and genetics. There’s still much to learn about these fascinating birds. But the evidence clearly shows they remain valued members of turkey flocks, despite their masculine pelage.
When pursued ethically and selectively, bearded hens can offer hunters a rare trophy. Yet they also deserve special consideration due to their uniqueness and reproductive contributions.Whether taking home a trophy or snapping a photo, bearded hens should be appreciated for their special place in the wild turkey world.
Ask Dr. Tom : Bearded Hens
FAQ
What are the odds of a bearded hen turkey?
How rare is it for a hen turkey to have a beard?
How rare is a 5 bearded turkey?
Are bearded hens rare?
Although uncommon, bearded hens aren’t rare in most wild turkey populations. Scott Walter, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ upland bird ecologist, said: “Although I’ve never observed a hen strutting, I’d be willing to bet this is true of most hunters. It’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Do bearded hens have a beard?
No one in my network of hunting friends and acquaintances has seen one, even though most of us have seen hens with a beard. In all cases, the bearded hens acted like any other hen as they fed and moved about the woods. Although uncommon, bearded hens aren’t rare in most wild turkey populations.
What is the longest beard a hen has?
The longest beard ever recorded was nearly 23 inches; anything over 12 inches is considered extremely unique. There are some cases where toms will have multiple beards. It is not uncommon to see a double beard, but triples and beyond are considered very rare. The most beards ever found on a turkey was 13! Sometimes hens will sport a beard.
Are bearded hens legal in Georgia?
Either way, bearded hens are not legal game in the state of Georgia. In some areas they are; Florida, for example, defines legal game during spring turkey season as “bearded turkey or gobbler.” Not so in GA, which specifies “gobblers.” Come turkey season, I hunted long and hard for a mature gobbler, beginning on opening morning.
Are bearded hens legal?
Interestingly, bearded hens are legal to be harvested in many states during spring hunting seasons. I suggest that this regulation is largely a relic of days past, when agencies were trying to maximize opportunities for hunters to take birds.
Should bearded hens be harvested during spring?
In that vein, the allowance to harvest bearded hens during spring is more of a social consideration than a biological one. Regardless, the take home is that bearded hens are just like any other hens – they contribute to the productivity that sustains and drives our wild turkey populations.