A group of turkeys is generally called a flock. You may also hear rafter of turkeys, which is a traditional collective noun associated with the bird.
“Flock” is the word you would most naturally use when describing wild turkeys moving or feeding together. “Rafter” is the more unusual term, and it is the one that often appears in lists of animal collective nouns.
There are several other names associated with groups of turkeys, including gaggle, run, gang, posse, brood, and dole, but most are uncommon today.
What Is a Group of Turkeys Called?
Flock is the standard everyday term for a group of turkeys.
Turkeys are social birds and commonly gather while feeding, traveling, and roosting. A flock can be made up of just a few birds or many more, and its size and composition can change with the season.
Rafter is the traditional collective noun specifically associated with turkeys. It is less common in ordinary conversation but has a long history as a name for a group of these birds.
So if you see a dozen wild turkeys walking across a field, calling them a flock of turkeys is perfectly natural. If you’re answering a trivia question about the traditional collective noun, a rafter of turkeys is the answer you’re likely looking for.
Why Is a Group of Turkeys Called a Rafter?
The origin of rafter isn’t completely certain, but the word is commonly linked to the way turkeys roost.
Wild turkeys spend the night in trees, where they perch above the ground. Domestic turkeys may also perch on elevated structures, including rafters. The sight of several turkeys gathered overhead may have helped give rise to the expression.
Like many animal collective nouns, “rafter” has survived largely as a traditional expression rather than a term people regularly use in everyday speech.
It’s also worth remembering that collective nouns aren’t strict scientific classifications. A group of turkeys can be called a flock without being any less of a “rafter,” and there is no particular number of birds required for either term.
What Is a Group of Wild Turkeys Called?
A group of wild turkeys is generally called a flock.
Wild turkeys are social throughout much of the year and often travel and feed together. Their groups aren’t always made up of the same birds, though. Females may stay with their young, while males often form their own groups outside the breeding season.
A family group can therefore look quite different from a larger flock gathered around a good feeding area or roost.
You may see wild turkeys described as a rafter as well, but “flock” is the more natural term when talking about birds in the wild.
Other Names for Groups of Turkeys
Several other collective nouns have been associated with turkeys over the years. Most are far less common than flock and rafter.
| Collective noun | Meaning or usage |
|---|---|
| Flock | The common general term for turkeys |
| Rafter | Traditional collective noun for turkeys |
| Gaggle | An occasional term, usually suggesting a noisy group |
| Run | A less common traditional term |
| Gang | Informal name for a group |
| Posse | Informal or humorous term |
| Brood | A hen with her young |
| Dole | Rare traditional collective noun |
Some of these names are mostly found in older references or lists of animal collective nouns. They shouldn’t be treated as equally common alternatives to “flock.”
Why Do Turkeys Gather in Groups?
Turkeys gather for several practical and social reasons.
Moving together can make it easier to find food and spot predators. There is also safety in numbers: while one bird feeds, others can remain alert for danger.
Young turkeys benefit from staying close to their mother, while adult birds gain social and reproductive advantages from being around others of their kind.
Flock size isn’t fixed, either. A small family group may contain only a few birds, while larger gatherings can include dozens of turkeys.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many turkeys are in a flock?
There is no set number. A flock can consist of only a few turkeys or much larger groups. Its size can change depending on the season, food availability, and the birds’ age and sex.
Do turkeys live in groups?
Yes. Turkeys are social birds and commonly spend time in groups. Wild turkeys may form different types of groups depending on the season and their stage of life.
What is a baby turkey called?
A baby turkey is called a poult. A hen and her young can be described as a brood.
What are male and female turkeys called?
An adult male turkey is called a tom or gobbler, while an adult female is called a hen.
The Bottom Line
The most common name for a group of turkeys is a flock. Rafter is the traditional collective noun associated with turkeys and is the unusual term you’re most likely to encounter in trivia or lists of animal group names.
If you’re talking about wild turkeys you see together, a flock of turkeys is the simplest and most natural expression.