1. Size and Body Mass:
- Toms are generally larger and heavier than hens. They have a more robust and muscular build, contributing to their larger body size.
2. Plumage and Coloration:
- Toms typically have more elaborate and vibrant plumage. They display colorful tail feathers, often referred to as "fan" or "beard," which they fan out during mating displays.
- Hens, on the other hand, have duller and less distinctive plumage, primarily consisting of brown and gray feathers.
3. Wattle and Snood Color:
- Male turkeys have larger and brighter wattles and snoods, which are fleshy growths on their heads. The wattle is the flap of skin under the beak, while the snood is the fleshy growth on top of the beak.
- In toms, the wattle and snood can be bright red or bluish in color, especially during the breeding season, signaling their readiness to mate.
4. Voice:
- Toms produce distinct vocalizations, including gobbling sounds. Their gobbles are loud and resonant, serving to attract potential mates and establish dominance over other males.
- Hens, on the other hand, have quieter and less frequent vocalizations, typically consisting of soft clucking sounds.
5. Aggressive Behavior:
- Male turkeys are more aggressive than females, especially during the mating season. They engage in aggressive behaviors such as fighting and chasing other males to assert their dominance and win access to females.
6. Mating Behavior:
- During the breeding season, toms aggressively compete for the attention of hens. They engage in courtship displays, such as fanning their tail feathers, strutting, and gobbling to impress the females.
- Hens, on the other hand, are more selective and usually choose the dominant and most attractive males for mating.
These differences in size, plumage, vocalizations, aggression, and mating behaviors collectively contribute to the sexual dimorphism observed between male and female turkeys.