Wild Turkey

Least Concern

Meleagris gallopavo

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This native game bird struts through North American woodlands with unmistakable swagger, its fanned tail and bronze feathers making it one of the most recognizable birds in the USA.

Visual Identification

Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey

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

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown Black

Secondary Colour

White Iridescent

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Pink

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

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Resident
Breeding

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 82
Strength 75
Adaptability 88
Aggressiveness 70
Endurance 65

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.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 3 - 5 years
Max Recorded Lifespan 13 years [1]
0
4
8
11
15

years

The Wild Turkey typically lives for 3 to 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 13 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [2]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

6,900,000 mature individuals [3]

Global Population Trend

Increasing[4]

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:

Phasianidae

Predators

Adult Wild Turkeys face threats from coyotes, bobcats, and great horned owls, while their eggs and poults are vulnerable to raccoons, skunks, and snakes.

Did You Know?

  1. Wild Turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 mph and fly in short bursts up to 55 mph.
  2. They have excellent vision and can rotate their heads 360 degrees to scan for danger.
  3. Benjamin Franklin advocated for the Wild Turkey, not the Bald Eagle, to be the national bird of the United States.

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References

  1. 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Meleagris gallopavo. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22679525A132051953.

    View source
  2. 4

    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

  3. 3

    website, 2019: Partners in Flight

    View source
  4. 1

    website, 2000: Carey and Judge, Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish

    View source