Wild Turkey
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is one of our largest birds. It is a gallinaceous bird of the family, Phasianidae, order Galliformes. It is the largest game bird in North America. Originally the Wild Turkey was found in good numbers throughout most of continental US and in parts of Mexico. It occasionally spread into the extreme southern parts of Canada especially Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. Heavy hunting and habitat loss in the 1800s and 1900s extirpated it from most of its range. Due to reintroduction programs and cessation of hunting it has now increased its population numbers over most of its original range. Reintroduction programs in upper New York State and Maine have led to its range expansion into Ontario and New Brunswick.
Wild Turkeys Feeding on Mixed Seed
Wild Turkeys provided a stable source of food for native Americans for countless years before the colonists arrived. At that time the colonists could easily bag a turkey close to their homes. They provided a good food source and so arose their popularity as a favourite food in North America. They provided an abundant food supply for both the colonists and the First Nations peoples who also used the feathers for adornment.
Turkeys were sold in markets in the east for many years. In 1711 you could buy one in Hartford, Connecticut for one shilling, four pence. In 1730 in Northampton, Mass the price was one and one-half pennies per pound. The last turkey was killed in Massachusetts in 1851 and in Connecticut the last one was seen 1813. There were very few birds in Kentucky in 1930. It is estimated the total population got as low as 30,000. The current population now is estimated to be 7 million.
The Wild Turkey is not mentioned in the 'Birds of New Brunswick: An Annotated List' (2004). It has become gradually more populous over the years since it began spreading into New Brunswick from Maine. The first ones I ever saw in the wild was a flock of about 40 individuals feeding in a field in a hilly area of upper New York State in the winter of 1971. They had been reintroduced into that state and were expanding at that time. Although New Brunswick was not normally part of the Wild Turkey range, it has become so with global warming. We have plenty of good turkey habitat and they are taking advantage of it. Turkeys prefer hardwood forest especially with nut-bearing fruits (oak) with open areas near water. They usually roost over or near water.
Wild Turkeys Feeding in Our Yard
Wild Turkeys are large, males are 117 cm (46 inches) long; females, 94 cm (37 inches). They weigh up to 11 kg (24 lbs). Some gobblers can get larger that that. Males have a dark, very iridescent plumage showing beautiful greens and cinnamon browns. The flight feathers are barred with white and the tail shows barred cinnamon with terminal bands of dark brown and then white. The head lacks feathers and is red and blue. He has red wattles and a black tuft of feathers extending from the middle of his breast. This is about 25 cm (10 in) long but can be up to 45 cm (18 in) long or as short as 8 cm (3 in). This anatomical feature is known as the 'beard' and is often used to identify males. It sometimes looks like it is made of hair but it is really modified feathers. Males also have spurs on their legs. Females are smaller and duller. They lack the wattles and usually the beard and spurs. About 10% of females have beards and sometimes a single small spur but these individuals are normal reproductive females. Turkey poults have a light cinnamon head, breast and flanks. The back is heavily spotted with dark browns.
Male turkeys during breeding season grow a 'breast sponge'. This is spongiform tissue which swells in the upper breast area near the crop. It fills with sweet, rich fat which sustains the tom during the breeding season when he is so busy he does not have time to feed.
The breeding season takes place in the spring. Turkeys are polygamous and the tom 'services' his harem. This can be exhausting for him because the hens need to be bred every day when they are laying in order for the eggs to be fertilized. He has an elaborate courtship display. He raises and expands his body plumage, spreads his beautiful large tail and his naked head ornaments swell up. He shakes his adorned head and rattles his wing quills while he drags his wings on the ground while gobbling and strutting around. Many of us have seen this display and it is remarkable.
The hen makes her nest on the ground near a tree or log or in some secluded place. She scratches out a hollow about 30 cm (12 in) wide and 8 cm (3 in) deep and lines it with leaves and dry grasses. She is careful to keep her nest hidden from the tom. When all of her 8 to 15 eggs are laid, she incubates them for 28 days. The precocious young are ready to leave the nest as soon as the last chick is hatched. The female might bring them back to the nest for a couple of nights after that but they wander thereafter. The hen is very careful to keep the poults safe and dry. Predation is common at that time and cold, wet weather causes high mortality. When the young are about 14 days old they are able to fly into trees to roost in the branches where adult turkeys normally spend their nights.
It takes 4 years for turkeys to reach full size and colouring. During the late fall and winter the genders usually flock separately. Young males often flock separately from the adults toms. The flock that is currently coming to our yard is mainly females. Turkeys are non-migratory. They wander around suitable feeding areas usually near water. In winter if the snow is very deep and too soft for them to walk easily they will spend considerable time in the trees waiting until conditions improve.
Wild Turkeys Feeding in Snow
Domestic turkeys descended from Wild Turkeys. Turkeys originated in North and Central America. They were domesticated by the Aztecs about 500 BCE. The Spanish Conquistadors took them to Europe in the 1500s where they became popular and eventually arrived in England. The colonists brought the domesticated turkey back to North America. And, as they say, 'the rest is history'.
New Brunswick has never had a turkey hunting season. Since the numbers have been increasing hunters have requested from our Department of Natural Resources to instigate a turkey hunting season. As a result, it has been proposed that open season on turkeys will begin in April, 2021. From what I understand, hunters will have to apply and have their name drawn. Hunting will be strictly regulated in specified zones. It will cost $6 to apply, $20 for the licence and a $5 conservation fee will be added on. The season will be for 2 weeks beginning on the second Monday in May. There will be other restrictions as well, e.g., the use of recordings for calling the birds will be prohibited and bearded turkeys only will be 'bagged'. I expect this new season will cause a lot of opposition. I wonder if we have a large enough population to begin 'harvesting' (slaughter).
The Wild Turkey is one of two avian species originating in North America which have been domesticated. The other is the Muscovy Duck. Another interesting turkey fact is that it was once considered to be the national bird of the United States, being suggested by Benjamin Franklin. Maybe they would not have been so slaughtered if they had been the national bird.
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