12 Sounds Turkeys Make and What Each Means

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. Some sounds are produced to communicate with a particular subset of birds or by members of a particular gender or age group. Acquiring the ability to communicate with turkeys through their sounds, or conversing with them is beneficial for hunters as it enhances their ability to summon the birds.

Turkey Terminology Everyone Should Know

A turkey is a large bird from North America. The birds roost in trees, and although the domesticated birds cannot fly, the wild ones can fly quite well. They reach flight speeds of 5.5 mph but fly short distances and tire quickly.

Turkey Identification

1) Assembly Yelps

An assembly call is a series of yelps emitted by a hen trying to locate her children. This call is loud and shrill. These yelps are different from the other yelps because they are louder, and each note is held longer, emphasizing the urgency the hen feels.

2) Cackle

When the turkeys take off from their roost in the morning, both male and female birds make the cackles. Cackles can also be heard when a turkey flies into a tree to roost in the evening. The typical cackle is created with 10 notes that increase in pitch as they are made. Cackles are loud and unevenly spaced.

3) Cluck

When one turkey wants to get the attention of another turkey, they will make one or more short notes called clucks. This sound is used to talk to birds of the same sex, and it is also used when a tom is approaching. A hen will make a cluck to tell a male that she is waiting for him to reach her location.

4) Cluck and Purr

An indication that a bird is happy is a brief cluck followed by a rolling purr. A hen will frequently make a clucking and purring sound while feeding or conversing with her young. Mother turkeys sitting on eggs will make cluck and purr noises as she talks to her unhatched poults. The sound is reassuring and encouraging to the birds in their eggs.

5) Cutt

Cutting is a turkey sound that indicates a hen is excited. If a hen is talking to a male, another hen will make cutting sounds that are louder than the ones of the first hen. The first hen, however, will not take this lightly and will look for her rivals to drive them away.

6)Drumming

When a gobbler struts his stuff for the ladies, he will drum from deep in his chest. These turkeys also lower their wings, letting them drag on the ground and spit. It is rare for a human to hear the drumming and spitting of courtship.

7) Gobble, Gobble

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.

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.

8)Purr

A contented kitten will make a soft purring sound. A contented turkey also makes a soft purring sound. The purr is heard when hens talk to their eggs or poults. It is also heard when turkeys are feeding and are happy. You have to listen closely to hear this sound.

9) Putt

Whenever a turkey hen sees or senses imminent danger, they sound off with a sharp note called a putt. Sometimes, they emit only one putt, and at other times, they emit several. This alarm is meant to warn other turkeys but primarily to alarm the hens’ offspring.

10) Tree Call

When wild turkeys are resting in the trees, they talk to the other turkeys that are close to them. A tree call is a series of low, muffled yelps and soft clucks. This is their way of saying goodnight to each other and assuring themselves that they are not alone.

11) Whistle

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. Sometimes, the young bird will follow the three-note run of the kee-kee call with a yelp.

12) Yelp

While yelping is one of the sounds made by turkeys, it does not signify pain like the yelps made by dogs or other animals. A female turkey uses her yelp to communicate her location to a male and express her eagerness to meet him. Yelps are loud turkey sounds produced by connecting single notes.

There are occasions when the hen will yelp more loudly and frequently. An excited hen makes these rapid-fire yelps

Final Thoughts

Turkey’s sounds are difficult to recognize because many of them sound similar. To understand what each sound means, you have to know what the turkey is doing when they make the sound and the age, gender, and disposition of the bird. Understanding their communications lets you understand the bird better.

Summary Of 12 Sounds Turkeys Make and What Each Means

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