Do Turkeys Really Drown by Looking Up During Rain?

Quck answer

There is a common myth that turkeys will drown if they look up during a rainstorm. However, this is not true. Turkeys are capable of tilting their heads back to allow the rain to run off their beaks and feathers. Additionally, they can shake off excess water and seek shelter if necessary. While turkeys may not enjoy getting wet, they are not in danger of drowning simply by looking up during a rainstorm.

Wild Animals

Turkeys have a reputation for being unintelligent, but this is not entirely true. The birds are a staple food in the United States. Turkeys are known for their odd gait, red wattles, and unusual noises. This has contributed to their image as foolish creatures. Some people use the word “turkey” to describe someone who is inept or foolish.

One myth about turkeys is that during a rainstorm, they tilt their heads up to the sky and remain transfixed until they drown. While turkeys do look up at the sky and stay in that position for a while, experts say this is not true.

Turkeys have monocular vision. Their eyes are placed on either side of their head, allowing them to see two things at once. However, they cannot focus both eyes on the same object at the same time, unlike humans who have binocular vision. This feature helps turkeys avoid predators but does not provide them with much depth of vision. Turkeys tilt their heads to the side to get a better look at something. If a turkey tilts its head back to look at the rain, it will have difficulty focusing on the raindrops.

So why do turkeys occasionally look up at the sky? Tom Savage, a former animal science professor at Oregon State University, discovered an inherited condition in turkeys called tetanic torticollar spasms. This condition can cause turkeys to exhibit abnormal behavior, such as staring at the sky for over 30 seconds.

Turkeys are not as unintelligent as people believe. They socialize with each other and will approach humans if they are present.

Here are some real facts about turkeys:

• Domestic turkeys cannot fly because they are bred for heavy meat production, but wild turkeys can fly in short bursts. They can run at speeds of up to 25 mph (40 kph) on the ground and 60 mph (97 kph) in the air, according to Scientific American.
• Turkeys are easily frightened by loud noises. When scared, they huddle together along a fence.
• Benjamin Franklin admired turkeys and called them “birds of courage.” He compared them favorably to the bald eagle, which he considered a bird of “bad moral character,” according to the Franklin Institute.

Originally published on September 24, 2007.

Turkey Questions and Answers

Do Wild Turkeys Have the Ability to Fly?

Wild turkeys are actually quite skilled at flying, especially for short distances, and can travel at speeds of up to 60 mph (97 kph).

Can Turkeys Swim?

In addition to running and flying, wild turkeys are also able to swim if necessary.

Will Turkeys Continue to Strut in Rainy Weather?

Rainy weather won’t necessarily prevent turkeys from strutting their stuff.

Is it Safe to Approach Wild Turkeys?

As with any wild animal, it’s important to keep a safe distance from turkeys if you encounter them in the wild. During mating season, wild turkeys can become aggressive. The California Department of Fish & Wildlife suggests using an umbrella or a leashed dog to deter an aggressive turkey.

Can Turkeys Make Good Pets?

Turkeys can make great pets, but they require more space and food than chickens.

Learn More

Sources

• “The Call of the Wild: Wildlife Biology Member’s Manual Book.” University of Minnesota https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/55915
• “Critter Country: Drown and Out.” Snopes.com. Oct. 31, 1999 (Nov. 10, 2020) https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/drown-and-out/
• The Franklin Institute. “Did Benjamin Franklin Want the National Bird To Be a Turkey?” (Nov. 10, 2020) https://www.fi.edu/benjamin-franklin/franklin-national-bird
• Kansas State University: Turkey Tidbits http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/NewsReleases/ listturkey11128.html
• Lewis, Ricki. “Gobbler Genome Tapped.” The Scientist. Nov. 3 2003. (Nov. 10, 2020) http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/14227/
• “OSU animal scientist debunks dumb turkey myth.” Oregon State University News. July 13, 2009 (Nov. 10, 2020) https://today.oregonstate.edu/archives/2003/nov/osu-animal-scientist-debunks-dumb-turkey-myth
• Starin, Dawn. “Wild Turkeys: Marvel or Menace.” Scientific American. Aug. 8, 2016. (Nov. 10, 2020) https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/wild-turkeys-marvel-or-menace/

FAQ

1. Is it true that turkeys can drown if they look up during a rainstorm?

There is a common belief that turkeys can drown if they look up during a rainstorm, but this is actually a myth. Turkeys are able to close their nostrils and eyes to prevent water from entering, and they are also able to shake the water off their feathers to prevent waterlogging.

2. Why do people believe that turkeys can drown in the rain?

It is believed that this myth originated from the behavior of young turkeys, which are not as adept at dealing with rain as adult turkeys. Young turkeys may be more susceptible to drowning in heavy rain due to their smaller size and weaker ability to shake off water. However, adult turkeys are not at risk of drowning in the rain.

3. What are some other common myths about turkeys?

Another common myth about turkeys is that they are unintelligent animals. In reality, turkeys are quite intelligent and have been shown to have impressive problem-solving skills. Additionally, it is often believed that turkeys are unable to fly, but they are actually able to fly short distances.

4. Are turkeys commonly kept as pets?

While some people do keep turkeys as pets, they are more commonly raised for their meat. Turkeys are often bred and raised on farms for consumption, and their meat is a popular choice for holiday meals such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

5. How long do turkeys typically live?

In the wild, turkeys typically have a lifespan of 3-5 years. However, turkeys that are raised on farms for meat are typically slaughtered before they reach adulthood, so their lifespan is much shorter in this setting.

6. What do turkeys eat?

Turkeys are omnivores and eat a variety of foods, including seeds, insects, fruits, and small animals such as lizards and snakes. In captivity, they are typically fed a diet of grains and pellets.

7. Are turkeys social animals?

Yes, turkeys are social animals and often live in flocks. They have a complex social hierarchy and are able to communicate with each other using a variety of vocalizations.

8. What is the difference between a wild turkey and a domesticated turkey?

Wild turkeys are typically smaller and leaner than their domesticated counterparts, with darker feathers and a more varied diet. Domesticated turkeys are bred to be larger and have more meat, which can make them more susceptible to health problems such as heart disease and joint issues.

9. Are there any conservation efforts being made to protect wild turkey populations?

Yes, there are a number of conservation efforts aimed at protecting wild turkey populations. These include habitat restoration projects, hunting regulations, and public education campaigns about the importance of preserving wild turkey populations.