Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

 

Picture of "hen"

 

 

 

Source: www.birdpotography.com/species/wito.html

 

Picture of "gobbler"

 

 

 

Source: www.vdof.org/mgt/wildlife/east-wild-turkey.shtml

 

Taxonomic Level:

Common Names:

Wild Turkey, Turkey

 

Characteristics:

Below: picture of the "gobbler " characteristics.

Source: http://www.wildturkeyzone.com/wildturkey/species1.htm

The male turkey is known as the "gobbler" and the female is known as the "hen". The male turkey has a longer neck, larger legs, larger feet, and larger bodies than the female turkey. Gobbler tracks are large with three toes. The middle toe on an adult male is usually 4 inches in length. Hen tracks are generally smaller with the middle toe being 3 inches in length. Males have a distinguishable characteristics from the female, which would include; a beard and spurs. Both males and females have a snood, wattles, and just a very few feathers on their heads. Males have a bronze and blackish body color, whereas, hens have a light brownish color. The "gobblers" feathers are more colorful, being from a bronze color, to reddish, green, copper, and gold. The "hens" feather colors are much more dull, being brown, but used as camouflage. Gobblers have a "beard" (modified feathers) that extends from the birds breast. Hens normally do not have beards but, few have been known to have beards. Gobblers will have a sharp extension protruded from its legs called spurs. These spurs are used for defense and fighting. The gobbler has a whiter head than the hen. If a wild turkey is over 5 years of age, he/she is said to be old. During the mating season the gobblers head will range from a blue color to white and red. A yearling male turkey is known as a "jake" and an adult male is known as a "tom". Generally, the jakes will weigh between 9 and 14 pounds, have small spurs, and a beard less than 5 inches. On average toms will weigh between 16 and 22 pounds, have spurs longer than half an inch, and a beard longer than 7 inches. A yearling hen is known as a "jenny". A "jenny" will weigh approximately 5 to 8 pounds. An adult hen will weigh between 8 and 12 pounds. It is estimated that 5,000 to 6, 000 feathers cover the body of an adult turkey. Turkey's feathers serve to keep them warm in cold weather, keep them dry, allow them to fly, and as a show for the opposite sex. The whole body of both sexes are covered in feathers, except for the neck and head. Wild turkey's have an excellent eyesight, which is their most reliable sense for detecting danger. They also have a well adapted sense of hearing and they are very mobile. They can run as fast as 26 mph and can fly at speeds of 55 mph. Mating season for wild turkey is generally anywhere between February and April, but in colder climates such as Virginia, mating season usually occurs in April. Males will attract females by "gobbling" and "strutting". Strutting means that the male will fluff up its body feathers, fan out the tail feathers, and drop its wings close to the ground. Blood will rush to the gobblers head and his snood (located on the beak) will become erect and his wabbles will become bright red. The female will "yelp" when ready to mate, and will "cluck" and "purr" when feeding. After mating the hen will search for a nest to lay her eggs, which is usually composed of a dirt mound or hole surrounded by brush and vegetation to conceal it from predators. It usually takes around 2 weeks for a hen to lay her eggs and consists of 10 to 13 eggs. The hen will often mate more than once and the male will mate with as many females as possible. The turkey is a bird that spends most of its time on the ground, but sleeps in a tree, which is called going on roost. Turkey's are most active during the early morning hours, late evening, and in the spring. Although, the turkey is moderately active year round.

Above: picture of hen characteristics

Source: http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/know_your_wild_turkey.html

Flocking:

 

Picture below: www.metzerfarms.com/turkey.htm

 

Turkey will not venture out along, they will follow in flocks. In the summer and fall hens will flock with poults (offspring). Gobblers will flock together, not usually flocking with hens other than breeding season. Gobblers will usually separate from flocks during breeding season to reduce competition and fighting among the flocks.

 

 

Distribution:

Source: http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/know_your_wild_turkey.html

 

Turkey's are a native species to North America. In the early 1900's the turkey was on the verge of extinction. Today, it is estimated that nearly 5 million exist in the United States. The turkey is found in every state except for Alaska. They are extensively found throughout Virginia. Turkey use to only be found in Mexico, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest regions of the United States. Due to management and conservation plans the Wild Turkey is commonly found throughout the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Habitat and Diet:

 

    Turkey prefer to have an area that is open and forested. They will use open areas for feeding and mating. They will use the forested areas for roosting in big trees and for security from predators. They prefer good habitat for nesting, especially close to crop fields and grassy areas. They need water, trees, and open grass areas just like any other animal. They will use trees such as; oaks and hickories to roost in. They are omnivores, they will eat plants and animal matter. It has been estimated that 90% of a turkey's diet comes from plants. Plants such as; grasses, forbs and vines, seeds, fruits, and acorns. They will also consume agriculture crops such as; corn, wheat, soybeans, oats, and clover.

 

Subspecies:

 

Predators:

Predators that eat Turkey eggs include: crows, snakes, raccoons, opossums, and skunks.

 

References:

 

Jimmy Fuller

April 8, 2004