Common Names for Different Types of Turkeys
Turkeys come in various types, each with distinct names based on gender, age, breed, or behavior. And most of them have their own name.
If you’re getting into turkey hunting, or maybe just need a refresher on the terminology, here is a concise guide to the most common terms used to describe them:
Tom: A mature male turkey, known for its vibrant feathers and long beard.
Hen: A female turkey, smaller and less colorful, tasked with egg-laying.
Gobbler: A vocal male turkey, often a synonym for tom, famous for its gobbling sound.
Jake: A young male turkey in its first year, with a short beard and small spurs.
Jenny: A young female turkey, similar in age to a jake but lacking male traits.
Poult: A newly hatched or very young turkey chick.
Bronze: A domesticated breed with shiny bronze feathers, once a staple in North America.
Bourbon Red: A domesticated turkey with rich reddish-brown plumage, named after Bourbon County, Kentucky.
Narragansett: A domesticated breed featuring black, gray, tan, and white feathers, linked to Narragansett Bay.
Wild Turkey: The native North American species (Meleagris gallopavo), agile and distinct from farm-raised birds.
Bearded Hen: An uncommon female turkey sporting a beard, though shorter than a tom’s.
Longbeard: A term for an older tom with an impressively long beard, a hunter’s favorite.
These names reflect the diversity of turkeys, from wild subspecies like Eastern or Rio Grande to farm breeds. Whether you’re a hunter, farmer, or just curious, these terms are good to know when people talk turkey.