Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Wild Turkey is a large, ground-dwelling bird with dark iridescent plumage. Males (toms) are larger and more colorful, with feathers that show bronze, green, and copper sheen.
They have a distinctive bare, bumpy head with fleshy protrusions, including a snood (above the beak) and wattles on the neck. Most males have a beard-like tuft of bristles on their chest.
Females (hens) are smaller with more muted brown feathers and usually lack the chest beard, though some may have one. Both sexes have strong legs for running, broad wings for quick takeoff, and fan-shaped tails that can be spread wide. The males often have spurs on their legs.
Size
Length
100cm to 125cm
Wingspan
125cm to 144cm
Weight
2.5kg to 10.8kg
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Wild Turkeys inhabit a variety of wooded habitats across North America, from deciduous and mixed forests to pine savannas and swamps. They thrive in areas with a mix of forest and open clearings.
In the United States, they are found in nearly every state, with robust populations in the eastern, central, and western regions. They are also native to parts of Mexico and have been introduced to Hawaii and parts of Europe.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,500 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Wild Turkey. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Wild Turkeys possess remarkable agility, capable of running at speeds up to 25 mph and achieving burst flights of 55 mph. Their ability to navigate through woodland terrain and make quick directional changes, combined with their 360-degree head rotation capability, demonstrates exceptional manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As one of the largest game birds, Wild Turkeys exhibit considerable strength, particularly evident in their powerful legs used for scratching through forest floor debris and their ability to carry their substantial body weight (up to 10.8 kg) during short flights. Their strong wings enable burst flights despite their hefty size.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Wild Turkeys showcase impressive adaptability, thriving across diverse habitats from sea level to 2,500 metres elevation. Their omnivorous diet, successful recovery from near extinction, and ability to flourish in various environments from deciduous forests to urban areas demonstrates remarkable adaptive capabilities.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Males display notable aggressive behaviour during breeding season, engaging in competitive displays and territorial defence. Their protective instincts and ability to stand ground against predators, combined with their sizeable presence, makes them formidable when threatened, though they typically prefer flight over fight.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Whilst capable of sustained daily foraging and occasional long-distance movements, Wild Turkeys are not built for extended physical exertion. They prefer short bursts of activity and are primarily ground-dwelling, roosting in trees at night to conserve energy. Their relatively short lifespan (3-5 years) suggests moderate endurance capabilities.
Diet
Wild Turkeys are omnivorous, primarily feeding on nuts, seeds, berries, insects, and small vertebrates.
They forage by scratching the forest floor, consuming acorns, hickory nuts, grasshoppers, and occasional snakes or lizards. In agricultural areas, they may feed on crops like corn and wheat.
Behaviour
Wild Turkeys are highly social, often forming flocks of 15 to 30 birds. They forage on the ground, scratching with their feet to uncover food.
During the breeding season, males engage in elaborate courtship displays, fanning their tails and strutting to attract females.
Vocalisation
Wild Turkeys are known for their distinctive vocalizations. Males produce a loud, resonant 'gobble' that can be heard up to a mile away.
Hens make a variety of calls, including clucks, putts, and yelps, often to communicate with their young. When alarmed, turkeys emit a sharp 'putt' sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Wild Turkeys typically begins in early spring. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, gobbling loudly and fanning their tails to attract females.
Hens construct simple nests on the ground, usually in dense vegetation or near fallen logs. They lay 10-14 eggs, which are pale and speckled with reddish-brown spots.
Incubation lasts about 28 days, with chicks leaving the nest within 24 hours of hatching. Young turkeys, or poults, can fly short distances after about two weeks and roost in trees with their mother by four weeks of age.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While once near extinction due to overhunting and habitat loss, Wild Turkey populations have rebounded significantly thanks to conservation efforts.
Current challenges include habitat fragmentation and local overpopulation in some urban areas, requiring ongoing management.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Wild Turkeys in open woodlands and field edges, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.
- Listen for their distinctive gobbling calls, particularly during spring breeding season.
- Scan for large, dark shapes on the ground or roosting in trees at dusk.
- In the US, visit wildlife management areas or national forests known for turkey populations.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Eastern Wild Turkey
Family:
PhasianidaeAverage Lifespan
3 to 5 years
Max Lifespan
13 years [4]
Predators
Did You Know?
- Wild Turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 mph and fly in short bursts up to 55 mph.
- They have excellent vision and can rotate their heads 360 degrees to scan for danger.
- Benjamin Franklin advocated for the Wild Turkey, not the Bald Eagle, to be the national bird of the United States.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Meleagris gallopavo. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22679525A132051953.
View source - 3
report: 18700% increase over 40 years, equating to a 270% increase per decade; data from Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven 2007
- 2
website, 2019: Partners in Flight
View source - 4
website, 2000: Carey and Judge, Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish
View source
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