Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when content. It can usually be heard by feeding birds. This is not a loud call, but is good for reassuring turkeys as they get in close to your position.
What does it mean when a turkey purrs?
Purr. The purr is a close range contact call that communicates “all is well”. The soft, trilling or rolling sound is made by all turkeys year round and conveys “contentment.” Birds make this sound when relaxed, while feeding and to maintain contact when the flock is traveling.
Why do turkeys vibrate?
According to the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), male turkeys make this soft, guttural sound by forcing air up from their bodies. They almost always spit and drum when they strut, but also do so when not strutting.
What kind of a sound does a turkey make?
Gobble. 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.
What sounds do a female turkey make?
The hen yelp and variations
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.
What do different turkey noises mean?
In the spring when gobblers are chasing hens around, softer yelps and fewer of them can imitate a lone hen. In the fall, gobbler calls attract other gobblers while hen calls attract other hens. Try using lower-pitched, drawn-out yelps to attract a tom.
Do male turkeys putt?
Turkeys usually putt when they see or sense danger, not to simply warn other turkeys, but also to warn a predator it’s been spotted and shouldn’t waste its time. An alarm putt and plain cluck both sound the same when rendered at roughly the same intensity.
What does it mean when a turkey puffs up?
Males will puff out their feathers, fan their tails, and “strut their stuff” while gobbling and making other vocalizations. This behavior is common during the breeding season and other times of year when turkeys are establishing social dominance or status within the flock.
Do hen turkeys strut?
Other biologists note that turkey poults will strut as soon as one day after hatching, and both sexes can strut. In hens, strutting is usually a response to aggression by another hen, or a response to other strong stimulus, including hunting decoys.
Do turkeys grieve?
Turkeys have a refined “language” of yelps and cackles. They mourn the death of a flock member and so acutely anticipate pain that domestic breeds have had epidemical heart attacks after watching their feathered mates take that fatal step towards Thanksgiving dinner.
What sound does turkey make when mating?
Gobbling is the territorial and mating call of the male, or tom, turkey. Although he might let loose with a gobble whenever the mood strikes him, he booms his declaration of dominance primarily in the spring, hoping to attract the attention of hens ready to mate while also challenging all other gobblers within earshot.
Do turkeys make noises at night?
Go Light on the Calling: Turkeys don’t make much noise in the evening, so tailor your blind calling to match. Yackety-yack loud and crazy hen cutting is usually out of place. Soft yelps, clucks, and purrs are more the ticket.
Are female turkeys loud?
Pet turkeys can be noisy
Male turkeys gobble (especially during mating season) while females make a high-pitched chirping noise. Our turkey gets especially noisy when it’s almost meal time. She is also very social and loves to talk to any and every neighbor that she can see!
What does it mean when a turkey is drumming?
If you’re hunting in a high pressured area, a turkey may not gobble but will drum to call up his hens. In regions with high predator populations, like bobcats and coyotes, turkeys often only drum because the sound doesn’t carry as far.
Why would a turkey be alone?
Your lone turkey could be one of those guys. The bachelor toms will eventually be welcomed back by the females and their broods, once the mating season is over. It might also be a younger turkey that has become separated from its flock and is calling out to its mother and friends.
What do you say in a turkey mouth call?
“Chick,” “chirp,” “chop” and “chalk” are some options, with “ch” as the common sound. Some say “shuck” or “shock” or “shick.” Others say “chee-uck” when making the yelp. Whichever way you go, call with snapping, beak-like lips, just like a turkey. To practice, choose a single word: “shock.” Break it: sh-ock.
How do you call a turkey in the morning?
As a rule turkeys gobble best on clear, calm, high-pressure mornings in the spring. Stand on a ridge or bluff at dawn and you’re apt to hear birds gobbling a mile or more away in all directions. Not only can you hear well on a nice day, your calls also ring true and carry far. Any mouth or friction call works well.
Do male turkeys cluck?
Cluck. Clucks are the most basic turkey sound and most often used sound by all adult turkeys, both Toms and hens. This sound is used when a turkey is simply walking around, feeding, or interacting casually with other turkeys.
Can turkeys hear?
Outstanding hearing is an asset to all prey species. Dickson’s compilation of wild turkey experts reveals that a wild turkey’s hearing is acute, although its external ear lacks a flap, or pinna, which concentrates sound waves. Field observations suggests turkeys hear lower-frequency and more distant sounds than humans.
What do you call a male turkey?
Adult male turkeys are called gobblers. Juvenile males are called jakes. Gobblers average around 18-22 pounds and can have a wingspan of 5 feet. Adult female turkeys are called hens. Juvenile females are called jennies.
How do you know when a turkey is angry?
Like the blushing of a maddened man, the head of a wild turkey will often flush with red when they feel angry or threatened. For the hunter, this means shutting down your calling or simply pulling the trigger, as the time to do so is surely running out.