![]() ![]() So while you’re eating your Thanksgiving Turkey this year, give a nod to the majestic Wild Turkey too. The large flocks are unstable and may separate and reform repeatedly. Wild Turkey Flock at Bird Feeder Wild Turkeys roost high up in tree branches every night, so you’ll need to have nearby trees of some size if you’d like to see them near your wildlife garden. These consist largely of hens, but males may form temporary attachments. But these birds have also been known to scavenge under bird feeders as well. ![]() You can attract Wild Turkeys to your garden most successfully if you live close to forested areas by planting some or all of the above plants. Wild Turkeys also eat a wide variety of insects: They eat quite a variety of native plant nuts and berries, including:Īcorns from White Oak, Red Oak, and Black Oak Wild Turkeys forage in flocks and eat mostly from the ground. They are skittish and quite wary, so your chances of getting close to them are quite slim. The Wild Turkey has eyes placed toward the side of its head, which allows them to spot any predator attempting to sneak up on them. And they can fly at speeds up to 55 miles per hour. While the Wild Turkey appears to be ungainly and slow, they can actually run quite fast, up to 25 miles per hour. ![]() The bare skin on a Wild Turkey’s face can range from red to blue to gray. In 1782, the turkey lost by a single vote to the bald eagle to become the. These spiny protuberances are used for defense and to establish dominance over their female harem.Īnd now take a look at the female Wild Turkey: Wild turkeys form flocks of six to 40 birds that roost in trees each evening. Diseases that affect wild turkeys are not a threat to people or domestic animals. And they also have “spurs” that grow about 2 inches long. So when someone asks you if large numbers of wild turkeys will increase the incidence of disease and decimate the flocks, you can be pretty confident it is unlikely. For one, the male likes to “strut his stuff” by walking around showing off his magnificent tail, and also lowering his wings so that they almost drag through the dirt.Īlso, male Wild Turkeys have a “beard” (notice the long feathers hanging from this Turkey’s chest). In fact, wild turkeys are very powerful fliers (they often take flight when startled or threatened) and can reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour, thanks to their broad, rounded wing. The park is a great place to see songbirds, waterfowl and a flock of wild turkeys that roams. It’s easy to tell the Wild Turkey males and females apart. Blendon Woods Metro Park is a 653-acre park located at 4265 E. But due to an ambitious relocation program, the Wild Turkey can now be found in large numbers in every state in the US except Alaska.Įven though these birds are quite large, they are quite well camouflaged and often difficult to see. While I greatly enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with my family, I am always in awe when I get to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Wild Turkey as I meander through the woods.ĭuring most of the 20th century, Wild Turkeys were extirpated from many areas, and almost extinct in others due to habitat loss. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |