As Thanksgiving approaches, you may find yourself wondering – just how tall are turkeys? Both wild and domesticated turkeys can vary quite a bit in their height and size. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the range of heights for these big birds.
Average Height of Wild Turkeys
Wild turkeys are native to North America and can still be found roaming free in many parts of the continent today. There are 6 remaining subspecies of wild turkeys:
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Eastern wild turkey – The largest subspecies, found throughout the eastern half of the United States. An average Eastern male (tom) stands about 4 feet tall. Females (hens) are around 3 feet tall.
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Osceola wild turkey – Similar in size to the Eastern wild turkey Found in pockets of Florida,
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Rio Grande wild turkey – Slightly smaller than Easterns averaging 3.5 feet tall. Inhabits the central plains of the U.S.
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Merriam’s wild turkey – Shorter and stockier than Easterns with more white-tipped feathers Toms reach about 35 feet tall. Found in the Rocky Mountains and northwest.
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Gould’s wild turkey – The smallest wild turkey subspecies, maxing out around 2 feet tall. Only located in small parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico.
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Ocellated wild turkey – A different but similar-sized species found only in the Yucatan Peninsula.
As you can see, most male wild turkeys range from 3.5 to 4 feet tall depending on the subspecies. Females are around 1 foot shorter. The tallest wild tom turkey ever recorded was 4 feet 9 inches tall!
Domestic Turkey Heights
Due to selective breeding, domestic turkeys raised on farms are much larger than their wild counterparts. The average domestic male (tom) is between 2.5 to 3 feet tall. Hens are a bit shorter at 2 to 2.5 feet in height.
However, weight is a more useful statistic for domestic turkeys. Some bred varieties like the Broad Breasted White can weigh over 40 lbs, even though their height is similar to wild turkeys. Smaller heritage breeds weigh closer to 16-24 lbs.
The largest domestic turkey breeds have the potential to reach 3.5 feet tall if allowed to fully mature. But turkeys raised for meat are slaughtered at a younger age, preventing maximum growth.
Factors Affecting Turkey Size
Gender Differences
In almost all bird species, the male is larger than the female. For wild turkeys, the male’s size helps them compete for territory and mates during breeding season. Their height allows them to survey surroundings and their long legs can deliver powerful kicks.
Since hen turkeys don’t have the same mating behaviors, they benefit from being smaller and more agile. The petite size also requires less food during nesting periods.
Domestication
Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred by humans to be much bigger than wild turkeys. This allows them to produce more meat. Smaller heritage breeds are closer in size to wild turkeys at just 16-24 pounds.
Age at Slaughter
To prevent further growth, commercial turkeys raised for meat are slaughtered at a young age, usually under 6 months old. This stops them from reaching their maximum adult stature.
Record Heights
The tallest wild turkey recorded was 4 feet 9 inches tall and weighed 38 pounds. For domestic turkeys, some breeds could potentially reach 3.5 feet tall if allowed to fully mature. But their slaughter age prevents maximum growth.
Fitting Turkeys in the Oven
When cooking a holiday turkey, it’s important to ensure it will fit in your oven! Here are some size guidelines:
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Small Oven (12-15 inches): Avoid whole turkeys. Cook a turkey breast instead.
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Standard Oven (15-17 inches): Holds a 12 to 15 lb turkey.
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Large Oven (17+ inches): Fits turkeys up to 18 lbs or more.
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Professional Range (25+ inches): Can accommodate 20+ lb commercial turkeys.
You’ll also need a roasting pan with at least 2-3 inches of clearance. Removing the backbone to flatten the bird can help it fit better.
The Takeaway
While domestic turkeys can grow very large, wild turkeys are much more modest at just 3-4 feet tall. Even the biggest domestic breeds don’t get much over 3 feet high since they’re slaughtered young for eating.
Knowing the typical turkey height is useful whether you’re observing them in nature, raising them on a farm, or cooking one for Thanksgiving dinner. With the right technique, even a sizeable turkey can fit inside most standard oven dimensions.
So the next time you see a turkey, take a moment to appreciate their impressively tall proportions!
Wild Turkey Photos and Videos
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The Four Keys to ID
- Size & Shape Wild Turkeys are very large, plump birds with long legs, wide, rounded tails, and a small head on a long, slim neck.
Relative Size
One of our largest and heaviest birds; smaller than a Trumpeter Swan; about twice the size (and four times as heavy) as a Ring-necked Pheasant.
goose-sized or largerMeasurements
- Both Sexes
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- Length: 43.3-45.3 in (110-115 cm)
- Weight: 88.2-381.0 oz (2500-10800 g)
- Wingspan: 49.2-56.7 in (125-144 cm)
© D. Bruce Yolton / Macaulay Library
- Color PatternTurkeys are dark overall with a bronze-green iridescence to most of their plumage. Their wings are dark, boldly barred with white. Their rump and tail feathers are broadly tipped with rusty or white. The bare skin of the head and neck varies from red to blue to gray.
© Brian McKenney / Macaulay Library
- BehaviorTurkeys travel in flocks and search on the ground for nuts, berries, insects, and snails. They use their strong feet to scratch leaf litter out of the way. In early spring, males gather in clearings to perform courtship displays. They puff up their body feathers, flare their tails into a vertical fan, and strut slowly while giving a characteristic gobbling call. At night, turkeys fly up into trees to roost in groups.© Tim Laman / Macaulay Library
- HabitatWild Turkeys live in mature forests, particularly nut trees such as oak, hickory, or beech, interspersed with edges and fields. You may also see them along roads and in woodsy backyards. After being hunted out of large parts of their range, turkeys were reintroduced and are numerous once again.
© Michael J Good / Macaulay Library
Wild Turkeys in the Rocky Mountains tend to have whitish tips to the rump and tail feathers, whereas other populations have rusty or chestnut tail tips.
Adult male (Western group)
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Look at How Tall These Turkeys Are.
FAQ
What is the average height of a turkey?
Turkeys are the largest gamebird in North America. The average male turkey, or “tom,” can be 4 feet tall and weigh up to 25 pounds, while the average female or “hen” is 3 feet tall and around half the weight of a male turkey.
How big is a full grown turkey?
Wild turkeys are large birds. The average adult male (gobbler or tom) stands 3 to 3½ feet tall and weighs 18 to 24 pounds.
How tall does a turkey stand?
How to Identify Wild Turkeys. A Wild Turkey can stand four feet tall, with a large, bulky body covered with bronzy, iridescent feathers.
How tall is the tallest turkey animal?
They number from 5.1 to 5.3 million birds. They were first named ‘forest turkey’ in 1817, and can grow up to 4 ft (1.2 m) tall. The upper tail coverts are tipped with chestnut brown. Males can reach 30 lb (14 kg) in weight.
How big is a 20 lb Turkey?
In conclusion, the dimensions of a 20 lb turkey can vary, but generally fall within the range of 12-14 inches in height, 18-20 inches in length, and 12-14 inches in width. Remember to consider factors like cooking time, number of servings, and available oven space when planning your holiday meal.
How much does a turkey weigh?
Throughout, the birds strut slowly about, with the neck arched backward, their breasts thrust forward and emitting their characteristic ‘gobbling’ call. [citation needed] The domestic turkey is the eighth largest living bird species in terms of maximum mass at 39 kg (86 lbs). [citation needed]
How big a Turkey is a hen?
The average male turkey, or “tom,” can be 4 feet tall and weigh up to 25 pounds, while the average female or “hen” is 3 feet tall and around half the weight of a male turkey. 4. Wild turkeys are omnivorous. They eat a varied diet of mostly grass and grains but also insects, nuts, berries, and small reptiles. Wild turkeys are opportunistic foragers.
How big is a turkey compared to a male?
The female, significantly smaller than the male, weighs 5 to 12 pounds and is only 30 to 37 inches long. Despite their large size, wild turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 mph and fly up to 55 mph. The male has a featherless, red head and throat and a body covered in red, bronze, and gold iridescent feathers.
What are some wild facts about turkeys?
While you are likely familiar with the Wild Turkey (especially this week!), you may be surprised to learn these wild facts: 1. Turkeys are fast. 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).
How many wild turkeys are there?
In the early 20 th century, there were about 200,000 wild turkeys in the United States. Thanks to conservation efforts, there are approximately 6.5 million wild turkeys in the United States today, according to the National Wild Turkey Federation. 8. Turkeys have a better known fossil record than most birds.