What Is a Wild Turkey Group Called? Understanding Rafters, Gangs, and Posse

You may spot wild turkeys foraging along trails, roosting in trees, or moving in single-file across roads. When observed in groups, a common question arises: What collective term describes them?

The answer reveals more about turkey behavior than you might expect.

A Rafter, a Gang, or Even a Posse

The most common collective noun for turkeys is a rafter. It is the official term for a group of wild turkeys, used in much the same way as gaggle for geese or murder for crows.

In casual usage, turkeys are also described as a gang or a posse, especially when large groups of adult males are involved.

These colorful terms reflect the social nature of turkeys, particularly outside the breeding season when both males and females gather to forage and avoid predators.

Wild vs. Domesticated Turkeys

Wild and domesticated turkeys differ markedly in behavior. Wild turkeys can fly short distances and often roost in trees, moving together in rafters for safety.

Female groups—hens with their young turkeys, called poults—may stay separate from males outside the spring breeding season.

On a turkey farm, domesticated birds are raised in large indoor groups. Commercial turkeys are selectively bred for size and are the familiar centerpiece of many Thanksgiving tables.

Turkey Terms and Bird Behavior

Male turkeys are called toms or gobblers; females are hens, and juveniles are poults. A rafter may contain individuals of various ages and sexes, depending on the season.

During breeding season, males often form small bachelor groups while females nest and tend eggs. After hatching, young poults stay close to their mothers, creating tight family units.

Benjamin Franklin’s Favorite Bird

While the bald eagle is widely recognized as the U.S. national bird, Benjamin Franklin famously favored the turkey. He praised the wild turkey as “a much more respectable bird” than the eagle, calling it a “bird of courage” that would not hesitate to defend its territory.

Franklin’s advocacy did not change the national bird designation, but it highlighted the turkey’s unique place in American wildlife lore.

This article was produced with AI assistance and subsequently fact‑checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.