Wild turkeys’ heads change color depending on their mood.

Wild turkeys — or more specifically, their heads — are like the mood rings of the animal kingdom. A turkey’s cranium has been observed changing color based on whether the bird is calm, excited, or stressed, among other emotions. Those changes have to do with a combination of shifting blood flow as well as slight physical alterations in head shape that then reflect light in various ways.

A wild turkey’s head is typically a combination of red, white, and blue, with the three colors indicating a bird feels at ease in its natural environment. But if the head appears a bit more white, that implies the turkey is feeling dominant and/or aggressive. If its head is a more striking shade of red, it suggests the turkey is exuding fear or anxiety.