Name ______________________________________

TURKEYS
Turkeys are large, round birds. Many that live
on farms are too heavy to fly. Loose, floppy skin
gives turkeys a special look. Flaps of skin called
snoods hang from turkeys’ foreheads. Other
flaps of skin called wattles hang from the necks of turkeys.
Turkeys have feathers. Male turkeys can puff up their
feathers and fan, or spread out, their tail. Turkeys have a sharp
beak that helps them pick up their food. Turkeys stand and
move on their strong, short legs. Male turkeys are called toms
or gobblers. Female turkeys are known as hens. Baby turkeys
are called chicks. Turkeys move around in pens on farms. These
fenced areas help keep turkeys safe from predators. Turkeys
eat feed, a farm food made up of a mixture of grains, at
mealtime. They also like to snack on bugs in their pens and graze
on fresh plants. Fights sometimes break out between turkeys.
Turkeys make alarm calls when there is danger around them.
Turkeys are social and tend to stay together.
IDENTIFY: Use the word bank to identify each description.
fan snoods wattles hens
toms feed predators social

1. Female turkeys

2. Skin that hangs from turkeys’ foreheads

3. Male turkeys

4. Spread out

5. Skin that hangs from turkey’s necks

6. Farm food made of a mixture of grains

7. Living and staying together as a group

©Teaching to the Middle

8. Animals that hunt other animals

SHORT ANSWER: Answer each question.

9. Why are most farm turkeys unable to fly?

10. What do farm turkeys eat?

11. What does a turkey do when it is in danger?

12. Where are snoods and wattles located on turkeys?

13. Why are turkeys kept in pens on farms?

©Teaching to the Middle

Name ______________________________________

TURKEYS
Turkeys are large, round birds. Many that live
on farms are too heavy to fly. Loose, floppy skin
gives turkeys a special look. Flaps of skin called
snoods hang from turkeys’ foreheads. Other
flaps of skin called wattles hang from the necks of turkeys.
Turkeys have feathers. Male turkeys can puff up their
feathers and fan, or spread out, their tail. Turkeys have a sharp
beak that helps them pick up their food. Turkeys stand and
move on their strong, short legs. Male turkeys are called toms
or gobblers. Female turkeys are known as hens. Baby turkeys
are called chicks. Turkeys move around in pens on farms. These
fenced areas help keep turkeys safe from predators. Turkeys
eat feed, a farm food made up of a mixture of grains, at
mealtime. They also like to snack on bugs in their pens and graze
on fresh plants. Fights sometimes break out between turkeys.
Turkeys make alarm calls when there is danger around them.
Turkeys are social and tend to stay together.
IDENTIFY: Use the word bank to identify each description.
fan snoods wattles hens
toms feed predators social

1. Female turkeys

2. Skin that hangs from turkeys’ foreheads

3. Male turkeys

4. Spread out

5. Skin that hangs from turkey’s necks

6. Farm food made of a mixture of grains

7. Living and staying together as a group

©Teaching to the Middle

8. Animals that hunt other animals

SHORT ANSWER: Answer each question.

9. Why are most farm turkeys unable to fly?

10. What do farm turkeys eat?

11. What does a turkey do when it is in danger?

12. Where are snoods and wattles located on turkeys?

13. Why are turkeys kept in pens on farms?

©Teaching to the Middle

Name ___KEY___________________________________

TURKEYS
Turkeys are large, round birds. Many that live
on farms are too heavy to fly. Loose, floppy skin
gives turkeys a special look. Flaps of skin called
snoods hang from turkeys’ foreheads. Other
flaps of skin called wattles hang from the necks of turkeys.
Turkeys have feathers. Male turkeys can puff up their
feathers and fan, or spread out, their tail. Turkeys have a sharp
beak that helps them pick up their food. Turkeys stand and
move on their strong, short legs. Male turkeys are called toms
or gobblers. Female turkeys are known as hens. Baby turkeys
are called chicks. Turkeys move around in pens on farms. These
fenced areas help keep turkeys safe from predators. Turkeys
eat feed, a farm food made up of a mixture of grains, at
mealtime. They also like to snack on bugs in their pens and graze
on fresh plants. Fights sometimes break out between turkeys.
Turkeys make alarm calls when there is danger around them.
Turkeys are social and tend to stay together.
IDENTIFY: Use the word bank to identify each description.
fan snoods wattles hens
toms feed predators social

hens 1. Female turkeys

snoods 2. Skin that hangs from turkeys’ foreheads

toms 3. Male turkeys

fan 4. Spread out

wattles 5. Skin that hangs from turkey’s necks

feed 6. Farm food made of a mixture of grains

social 7. Living and staying together as a group

©Teaching to the Middle

predators 8. Animals that hunt other animals

SHORT ANSWER: Answer each question.

9. Why are most farm turkeys unable to fly? They are too
heavy.

10. What do farm turkeys eat? Feed, plants, bugs

11. What does a turkey do when it is in danger? Cries out an

alarm call

12. Where are snoods and wattles located on turkeys? On

their heads

13. Why are turkeys kept in pens on farms?

To keep them safe from predators

©Teaching to the Middle

 THANKS!
www.kids.Britannica.com
www.kids.nationalgeographic.com
www.kids.sandiegozoo.org

©Teaching to the Middle

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