One smart turkey

Story by Kathleen Crowley

In an annual event called Heifer in Your Tank, students in Frank Robinson's Animal Science 200 class at the University of Alberta present the answers to unusual agricultural questions. Inspired by this event, we uncover the answer to a common misunderstanding about turkeys.

Barnyard myth

Turkeys are so lacking in intelligence, they drown in rainstorms because they stare up at the sky with their beaks gaping open.

The facts

 "Far from being dumb, turkeys are bright and inquisitive birds," says turkey producer Ingrid DeVisser. In Calgary for a meeting of Canadian turkey producers, she consulted her fellow farmers. "None of us has ever seen a turkey tip its head back to look up at rain, let alone drink. They are curious birds, so it is conceivable that they would wonder about rain falling. But with eyes on the sides of their head, when they want to see something they have to turn their heads." Turkey producers who raise their birds outside say that the birds are very adept at finding shelter when it rains.

DeVisser says turkeys will rush over to investigate anything new or unique. For instance, they are naturals in front of a camera as they will go right up to it to check it out. Producers use this curiosity to encourage their flocks to drink water. They put coloured pebbles into the birds' water to attract them. In general, farmers say they are quick to find their water and feed. More evidence of their IQ comes from their advanced social relationships. For example, if you throw an apple to a group of turkeys, they'll play with it together.

In defence of the turkey's intelligence, DeVisser says wild turkeys are particularly challenging for hunters. Benjamin Franklin described the turkey as a bird of courage and was disappointed that it wasn't chosen as America's national bird. So if someone calls you a turkey, they may actually be giving you an unwitting compliment.