As the centerpiece of many Thanksgiving feasts the turkey is a familiar bird to most people. But while we love to eat turkey many don’t know much about these quirky birds and the surprising array of sounds they make.
From the iconic gobble to yelps, putts, and more, turkeys have a diverse vocal repertoire. Learning about the different turkey calls and what they mean provides insight into the social structure and behavior of these large ground-dwelling birds.
Next time you hear a turkey’s voice, you’ll have a better appreciation of their language. Let’s take a closer look at the fascinating sounds of the turkey.
The Iconic Gobble
The gobble is the quintessential turkey sound, frequently depicted in pop culture imagery of turkeys. Male turkeys, called toms or gobblers, perform the gobble call most often. It is their way of announcing their presence to females (called hens) and competing with other males.
The gobble is loud and impossible to miss. It begins with a low-pitched “guh” before rolling into a rapid staccato series of gargling “obble” sounds. Gobbles last just 1-2 seconds but carry over a mile in ideal conditions.
Toms strategically gobble from treetops or high vantage points to increase the range of their call. The better they are heard, the more hens they attract. Dominant males gobble more frequently to proclaim their status and intimidate rivals.
Gobbling peaks in spring during the breeding season but may be heard year-round. The frequency and urgency of gobbles help signal a tom’s health and virility making this call critical for turkey social dynamics.
Yelps, Purrs, and Whines
While the gobble gets all the attention, turkeys have an array of other vocalizations too. Hens use particular calls to communicate with their young poults (chicks) Mother hens emit soft clucks and purrs to keep poults close by and assembly yelps to gather them together
Poults “peep” constantly during their first few weeks of life to bond with their mothers and siblings. As poults get older, they transition to “putt” sounds for staying in contact with the group. Putts are two-note calls that sound like “pit-pit.”
Hens may also yelp in alarm if danger is spotted. Their high-pitched yelps signal poults to freeze in place for safety. Male turkeys can yelp as well, but their version is louder and more aggressive, serving as a warning to rivals.
Whines are another turkey vocalization, often made by males trying to court receptive hens. The drawn-out whining sounds transition to excited gobbling when the hen responds favorably.
Other Turkey Noises
Turkeys make non-vocal sounds too. For example, courting males perform a displaying behavior called strutting, fanning their tail feathers and making rhythmic drumming noises. The drumming results from the males erecting their body feathers and vibrating them rapidly against the air.
Other sounds include the spitting and fighting noises turkeys produce when intimidating opponents. Bills clashing together, wings beating against bodies, and feet scuffling all add to the ruckus of an aggressive encounter between males.
Overall, turkeys have an impressive vocabulary of at least 28 unique vocalizations. Their calls allow complex social interactions and information exchange among flocks. From the familiar gobble to lesser-known putts and purrs, the sounds are a language we need to listen more closely to understand.
Why Do Turkeys Gobble?
Male turkeys gobble for two primary reasons related to breeding:
Attracting hens
- Loud gobbles proclaim a male’s presence and fitness to hens in the area. The male with the most frequent and vigorous gobbling tends to attract the most female attention.
Competition
- Gobbling also asserts a male’s dominance over rival males. Males gobble and strut to establish territory and intimidate younger males.
The urge to gobble is influenced by hormone levels, which peak in spring with the onset of breeding season. Gobbling activity declines after mating concludes but may increase again in fall before winter sets in.
What Does a Turkey Gobble Sound Like?
A turkey’s gobble is an unmistakable sound. It starts with a low-pitched “guh” before rapidly cascading into a series of 10-20 louder double syllable “gob-bles”. The tempo accelerates over the gobble’s 1-2 second duration.
The gobbling then abruptly stops, resulting in a unique sound that has been likened to gargling, galloping, and even a trill on a woodwind instrument. The gobble can carry over a mile on a calm morning, enabling males to be heard by distant females.
Here are some key characteristics of the gobbling sound:
- Starts softly then gets louder
- Speeds up tempo
- Series of double syllables
- Gargling/galloping quality
- Abrupt ending
- Lasts 1-2 seconds
- Carries long distances
Once you learn to recognize it, the gobble’s unique vocal signature will be unmistakable.
When Do Turkeys Gobble?
In the wild, most gobbling occurs in spring between March and early June. This coincides with the peak breeding season when males are seeking mates. However, gobbling may begin as early as February and extend through July in some regions.
The most active gobbling times are early morning before fly-down from the roost and late afternoon before sunset. The low light conditions allow the sound to travel farthest. Rainy, cloudy, or windy days suppress gobbling activity.
Through fall and winter, gobbling is less frequent but still occurs sporadically, especially on warmer days. During this time, it serves more of a contact call purpose among flocks than for breeding. In commercial operations, artificial lighting tricks tom turkeys into breeding year-round.
Why Do Hens Gobble?
Although female turkeys don’t gobble often, they sometimes gobble in response to males during the breeding season. Hen gobbles are higher pitched, shorter, and less forceful than tom gobbles. Scientists believe responsive gobbling indicates a female’s readiness to mate with a male suitor.
On very rare occasions, a hen may adopt male mannerisms like gobbling and strutting if their hormone balance is abnormal, a condition called hormonal hen. But in general, gobbling is primarily a tom turkey behavior related to announcing their availability and fitness for breeding.
Turkey Vocalizations Beyond the Gobble
While the gobble may be a turkey’s most iconic sound, they have an extensive vocabulary. Here are some other notable turkey calls:
- Clucks – Made by mother hens to gather poults
- Purrs – Soft, contented sounds by nesting/roosting hens
- Peeps – Constant call of poults to the mother hen
- Putts – Two-note call by fledglings, especially at feeding time
- Yelps – Assembly or alarm calls by adults
- Drumming – Vibrating sounds made when strutting
By learning more turkey talk, we gain appreciation into the hidden social world of these vocal birds beyond their value at the Thanksgiving table. Just listen for the gobble, putts, and purrs out your window. As it turns out, turkeys have a lot to say!
As a familiar fixture of the fall season, the gobbling turkey is a sound many of us can easily recognize. But beyond the gobble, turkeys have an extensive range of vocalizations used for communication, bonding, warnings, and more. Their diverse language reveals the surprisingly complex social structure of these large ground birds.
So the next time you hear turkeys outside, take a moment to appreciate their chorus of gobbles, yelps, purrs and other unique calls. It’s a window into the intricate world of turkey communication that deserves our respect, especially come Thanksgiving dinner time.
Fly Down or Fly-up Cackle
A cackle usually consists of three to 10 irregularly spaced notes, loud and staccato, increasing in pitch as the call nears its end. The cackle is generally associated with leaving the roost, but can also be heard when a bird is flying up to a roost. A fly-down cackle is good call to tell a gobbler that a hen is on the ground. However, a fly-down cackle often works best if the gobbler is already on the ground before you call. Otherwise, the tom may stay on the roost; waiting for what he thinks is a hen turkey to come to him before he flies down. A fly-up cackle can also be a good tool when trying to locate roosted toms, as it may get a roosted tom to gobble. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys. The gobble is one of the principal vocalizations of the male wild turkey and is used primarily in the spring to let hens know he is in the area. Hunters must be cautious using a gobble, especially on public land where it may attract fellow hunters to your position. It can also be a double-edged sword. A gobble may draw a dominate tom to you looking for a fight or you might drive away less dominant birds who want to avoid a beating. It is often used as a call of last resort. However, it can also be used effectively late in the evening when trying to get a tom to gobble on the roost. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The kee kee is usually a three-note call that lasts about two seconds. A variation of the call, the kee kee run, is merely a kee kee followed by a yelp. The kee kee is the call of lost young turkeys and variations are also made by adult birds. Its often associated with fall hunting and is used to reassemble a scattered flock. It can be used in the spring to make you sound more natural – especially on public land where it may set you apart from all the other hunters using yelps and cutts. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The plain yelp of a hen is a basic turkey sound and is often delivered in a series of single note vocalizations. The plain yelp can have different meanings depending on how the hen uses it, but it is basic turkey communication. It is also commonly used by a hen to communicate with a gobbler during mating season. This is a basic turkey hunting call. If you can yelp, you have a chance of being able to call in a turkey. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when content. It is a low vocal communication designed to keep the turkeys in touch and often is made by feeding birds. This is not a loud call, but is good for reassuring turkeys as they get close to your position. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The putt is a single or several sharp notes. The putt is generally associated as an alarm and usually means the bird has seen or heard something and is signaling danger. This can be useful when you have a gobbler in range, but cant get him to raise his head or stop. However, before putting at a gobbler it is best to have your shotgun ready and on target. Once you raise the alarm by putting, you will have little time to shoot and the bird will take off at the slightest movement. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The tree call is a series of soft muffled yelps given by a roosted bird that sometimes picks up in volume as fly down time nears. Maybe accompanied by soft clucking. It is generally acknowledged as a call to communicate with others in a flock. It can be used to let a gobbler on the roost know you are there. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
There are a wide variety of different sounds or vocalizations made by wild turkeys. Listen to them here.
There are many factors that go into successfully hunting wild turkeys, including calling them at the right place at the right time. Knowing the distinctly different sounds wild turkeys make in specific situations will increase you chances for a successful harvest and make you an all-around better wild turkey hunter.
Sounds courtesy of Denny Gulvas of Gulvas Wildlife Adventures.
The adult hen assembly call is a series of loud yelps, usually a little more emphatic and longer than a standard series of yelps. The assembly yelp is used by a hen to assemble her flock or young poults. It is a good call in the fall when trying to call a scattered flock back together. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck consists of one or more short, staccato notes. The plain cluck often includes two or three single note clucks. Its generally used by one bird to get the attention of another and a good call to reassure an approaching gobbler that a hen is waiting for him. This is a great call while trying to encourage gobbler to come into range if he starts to hang up. It can also be used while birds are still on the roost to subtly let a gobbler know you are there. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck and purr is a cluck followed by a rolling, almost staccato call. It is often associated with flock talk or the feeling of contentment. Typically not a loud call, though sometimes it can be amplified, it is good for reassuring turkeys as they get close to your position. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Loud, sharp clucks that are often mixed with yelping. Cutting is a sign that turkeys are excited, not alarmed. Cutting has several uses in hunting. If a gobbler is henned up, and one of the hens is cutting, you can cutt back in an attempt to bring her to you. You will want to mimic her calls, while cutting off her vocalizations and being a bit more excited. The goal with this tactic is to lure a dominate hen to you for a fight, often times bringing the gobbler with her. You can also cutt when you have tried soft calling to a gobbler that is hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Similar sounds and notes as a plain yelp but much more excited, rapid and with more volume. This is not a sign of alarm, but indicates that a turkey is worked up about something. If a gobbler is henned up, you might be able to bring him to you by picking a fight with the dominate hen in the flock. Yelp at her excitedly, cut off her vocalizations with your own calls and you might lure the hen, and the gobbler with her, to you. You can also use an excited yelp when you have tried soft calling to a gobbler that is hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Turkey Call – Turkey Sound ~ Learn The Sound a Turkey Makes
FAQ
What is the verb for turkey sound?
To gobble something typically means to eat it quickly or greedily, but gobble has a specific turkey-related sense in reference to the guttural sounds the bird makes. Gobbler is a common nickname for a male turkey, in addition to the generic meaning “one that gobbles.”
What is the gobble on a turkey called?
What is the gobble thing on a turkey called? – Quora. If you mean that large, fleshy red skin hanging from a Turkey’s throat it’s called a wattle. The wattle can become engorged with blood and is used as sexual display by male turkeys. Female turkeys also have a wattle although it is smaller.
What is a female turkey sound called?
The most commonly heard sound in the turkey woods is made by the hen, and it’s called a yelp. Toms also yelp, but it’s louder, raspier and often more drawn-out than that of hens. The yelp is usually delivered in a series of one-note tunes. However, yelps can take on various forms.
Do turkeys make a gurgling sound?
There is a myth that only male turkeys can make the gobble sound; however, hens can make the loud, rapid gurgling, just as chicken hens can crow. A purr is a low, soft, rolling sound, like a kitten’s purr. A contented kitten will make a soft purring sound. A contented turkey also makes a soft purring sound.
What sound does a turkey make?
A turkey gobble is the best-known turkey sound. The gobble is the turkey version of crowing. When a turkey gobbles, they make loud gurgling sounds. This is one of the most recognized sounds these birds make. However, they usually gobble in the spring when the male announces to the females that he is close by.
How do turkeys communicate with each other?
Turkeys communicate with one another by making various noises. Turkey sounds are specific to the age, gender, and function of the sound. Most people think that every turkey makes the gobble call because they are familiar with it. Humans rarely hear most of the sounds made by wild turkeys.
Why do turkeys make a gobble call?
Turkey sounds are specific to the age, gender, and function of the sound. Most people think that every turkey makes the gobble call because they are familiar with it. Humans rarely hear most of the sounds made by wild turkeys. For communication purposes, they have developed a distinctive set of sounds.
Do humans hear the sounds made by wild turkeys?
Humans rarely hear most of the sounds made by wild turkeys. For communication purposes, they have developed a distinctive set of sounds. Some sounds are produced to communicate with a particular subset of birds or by members of a particular gender or age group.
Do young turkeys make a kee-kee call?
Young birds whistle and make kee-kee calls when they get separated. A whistle is the call of a lost turkey, usually a juvenile. However, adult turkeys make similar turkey sounds when separated from their flocks. The whistle is also called a kee-kee call. When the bird makes this turkey sound, it emits three notes that last about two seconds.