Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) are one of six subspecies of wild turkey found in North America. As their name suggests, they are found predominantly in the eastern half of the United States and parts of southeastern Canada.
Eastern wild turkeys can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, fields, pastures and even suburban areas. Their range stretches from southern Maine to northern Florida and west to the Great Plains. The eastern wild turkey is the most numerous and widespread of all the wild turkey subspecies.
Original Range
The original range of the eastern wild turkey before European settlement stretched from the Atlantic coast of North America all the way west to the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas. They could be found as far north as Maine and much of southeastern Canada and as far south as central Florida.
This range included diverse habitats such as:
- Deciduous and mixed forests
- Old fields and agricultural land
- Swamps and bottomland hardwoods
Within this expansive range, eastern wild turkeys thrived and their population sizes remained robust. It’s estimated that when European settlers first arrived, there were over 10 million wild turkeys in what is now the eastern United States.
Decline and Recovery
When Europeans began settling eastern North America in the 1600s, eastern wild turkey populations started to plummet. Deforestation, unregulated hunting and the introduction of non-native predators took a heavy toll on wild turkeys.
By the early 1900s, eastern wild turkey numbers had declined to only 30,000 birds remaining in isolated pockets across the region. Their range had become fragmented, restricting the birds to areas with large tracts of unsettled forest land.
After this dramatic decline, conservation efforts helped the eastern wild turkey population recover significantly. Strict hunting regulations, reforestation and restocking programs allowed eastern wild turkey numbers to rebound. There are now an estimated 5.6-5.8 million eastern wild turkeys, making it one of the great conservation success stories.
Current Range
Thanks to these restoration efforts, eastern wild turkeys now inhabit most of their original range prior to European settlement. They can be found across the eastern United States, from Maine to Florida and as far west as Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Texas.
Habitat
Eastern wild turkeys utilize a variety of habitats across their wide range:
Forests
Mature deciduous forests with scattered openings are a preferred habitat type. Oaks, beech, cherry, elm, and conifers like pine and hemlock provide important sources of food and cover. Turkeys nest on the forest floor and roost in trees at night.
Agricultural Areas
Fields, pastures, and crop areas provide the seeds and insects that make up a large part of the wild turkey diet. They often forage along field edges. Row crops like corn and winter wheat also supply an abundant food source.
Old Fields and Brushy Areas
Old abandoned fields that have become overgrown provide excellent cover and insect foraging opportunities. Early successional habitats with brush and shrubs are heavily utilized by turkeys.
Swamps and Bottomlands
River bottoms and swamps with stands of cypress trees or oak provide prime turkey habitat in many southeastern states. The lush vegetation supplies insects and cover.
Suburban Areas
As forests have become fragmented, wild turkeys have adapted successfully to some suburban settings with a mix of woodlots, fields and human development. Birds often forage and nest near houses.
Climate
Eastern wild turkeys live across a variety of climates and weather conditions:
Northeast
Colder winters with snowfall. Turkeys deal with blizzard conditions by plunging into soft snow to roost. Spring and summers are mild.
Southeast
Hot and humid summers with mild, short winters. Turkeys seek shade and roost near water sources to stay cool.
Midwest and Plains States
Highly variable weather with cold winters and snow cover and very hot summers. Turkeys adapt to severe cold and snow.
Rainfall
Eastern wild turkeys thrive in areas with annual rainfall amounts ranging between 30-60 inches per year. Heavy rain impacts turkey chick survival.
Severe Weather
Tornadoes, hail storms and extreme winds can negatively impact turkeys. But they are resilient to storms and rebound quickly.
Population Densities
Turkey densities vary across their range based on habitat quality:
State | Turkeys per square mile |
---|---|
Minnesota | 5-10 |
Wisconsin | 10-15 |
New York | 15-25 |
Missouri | 20-35 |
South Carolina | 35-45 |
Turkey densities are higher in southeastern states with more available prime habitat. Northern states have lower densities, limited by longer, harsher winters.
Behavior
Eastern wild turkeys exhibit the following behaviors:
Social
Turkeys form flocks in fall and winter for feeding and roosting. In spring, males break away to establish breeding territories while hens nest. Hens and their broods form groups in summer.
Vocalizations
Turkeys make a variety of calls including gobbles, yelps, purrs and clucks to attract mates and communicate.
Foraging
Turkeys spend much of their time foraging on the ground for nuts, seeds, fruits, insects and other foods. Poults need high protein insects like grasshoppers.
Roosting
At night, turkeys fly up into trees to roost safely off the ground. This protects them from predators.
Seasonal Movements
Some northern populations migrate short distances between wintering and breeding areas. Other populations stay put year-round.
Adaptations
Eastern wild turkeys possess both physical and behavioral adaptions to their environments including:
- Keen eyesight to spot predators.
- Powerful legs and feet for scratching and fighting.
- Swift bursts of flight at up to 55 mph to escape threats.
- Iridescent bronze feathers providing camouflage.
- Omnivorous diet allows them to exploit many food sources.
- Wary nature and roosting habits avoid predators.
These adaptations allow eastern wild turkeys to thrive across their range. Their flexibility explains their success in rebounding from near extinction.
Threats and Conservation
While eastern wild turkey populations are stable, they still face a number of threats:
- Habitat loss from development and agriculture.
- Vehicle collisions in areas with roads.
- Overhunting in some regions.
- Nest predation and brood mortality.
- Disease outbreaks such as avian pox.
Ongoing conservation measures are aimed at monitoring and maintaining turkey populations:
- Regulating hunting seasons and bag limits.
- Improving habitat on public and private lands.
- Reintroducing turkeys to expand their range.
- Public education about turkeys and their issues.
With continued conservation and management, eastern wild turkeys will hopefully continue to thrive across eastern North America. They represent a major conservation achievement in restoring a species.
Conclusion
In summary, eastern wild turkeys inhabit a wide range of forest and open habitats across the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Their populations have rebounded impressively thanks to conservation efforts. Eastern wild turkeys play an important ecological role while also providing valued recreational hunting opportunities. Maintaining healthy habitats and regulating hunting pressure will be key to ensuring eastern wild turkey populations remain stable into the future. They provide an excellent example of how the combined efforts of wildlife agencies, conservation groups and private landowners can bring back a prominent game species from the brink of extinction.