Do Turkeys Really Drown When They Look Up During a Rainstorm?

Turkeys get a bad rap for not being very bright, but that reputation isn't wholly deserved.

Turkeys are the mainstay of Thanksgiving in the U.S. Maybe it's their awkward gait, the wobbly red wattles under their necks or the strange sounds they make, but turkeys have gained a reputation for being stupid creatures. Some people even use the word "turkey" to mean inept or stupid.

Perhaps the "dumb bird" reputation is the reason behind the tale that during a rainstorm, turkeys will stare up at the sky with their beaks hanging open, transfixed, until they drown. Although turkeys sometimes do tilt their heads up at the sky and remain there for several moments, scientists say the idea that turkeys drown that way is just a myth.

Turkeys have monocular vision. Their eyes are located on each side of their head so they can look at two things at once, but both eyes can't focus on the same image at the same time like human eyes. (We humans have binocular vision.) Although this feature helps turkeys avoid potential predators, it doesn't give them very much depth of vision. Turkeys tend to tilt their heads to the side to get a better look at something. If a turkey were to tilt its head backward to look at the rain, it would likely have trouble focusing on the raindrops.

So why do turkeys sometimes stare skyward? Tom Savage, a former professor of animal science at Oregon State University, said that the root of this behavior is not stupidity, but genes. In the early 1990s, he discovered an inherited condition in turkeys, called tetanic torticollar spasms. This condition can cause turkeys to exhibit abnormal behaviors, such as looking at the sky for 30 seconds or more at a time.

Turkeys actually aren't as dumb as they may look. They socialize with each other, and if humans are around, they will come over to greet them.

Here are some real facts about turkeys:

Originally Published: Sep 24, 2007

Turkey FAQ

Can a Wild Turkey Fly?

Wild turkeys are surprisingly good fliers, at least for short bursts, and may reach speeds of 60 mph (97 kph).

Can Turkeys Swim?

Wild turkeys are all-around athletes. Along with running and flying, turkeys also can swim if they need to.

Do Turkeys Strut in the Rain?

Rainy weather doesn't necessarily stop turkeys from strutting.

Can a Wild Turkey Hurt You?

As with any wild animal, you should give a turkey a wide berth if you encounter one in nature. Wild turkeys can become aggressive during the mating season. The California Department of Fish & Wildlife notes that an umbrella can help to steer away an aggressive turkey as can a leashed dog.

Are Turkeys Good Pets?

Turkeys can be good pets. People often relate that raising turkeys is similar to raising chickens, except turkeys need more space and more food.