Turkeys are large birds that are native to North America. There are two species of wild turkey – the Eastern Wild Turkey and the Rio Grande Wild Turkey. Wild turkeys inhabited a large range that spanned across the continent before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. Today, wild turkeys have a more limited range within North America due to hunting and habitat loss. However, they remain an important game bird and have been widely reintroduced to areas where they were previously extirpated.
Original Range of Wild Turkeys in North America
Prior to European colonization of North America, wild turkeys occupied a vast range that spanned much of the continent. The Eastern Wild Turkey was found in wooded areas from southern Maine south through the eastern United States and westward to South Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Its range extended north into southeastern Canada. The Rio Grande Wild Turkey inhabited more arid woodlands and river bottoms in the American Southwest and Mexico including parts of California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. At the peak of their historical range, wild turkeys could be found across nearly the entire United States mainland and in parts of Mexico and Canada.
Eastern Wild Turkey Range
The Eastern Wild Turkey historically inhabited forests across the eastern half of the United States. Its range extended as far north as southern Maine and Ontario, Canada and as far south as northern Florida and the Gulf Coast. To the west, it reached parts of the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. It was found in the following areas:
- Northeastern United States – Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland
- Southeastern United States – Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana
- Midwestern United States – Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota
- South Central United States – Oklahoma, Texas
- Canada – Southern Ontario
Rio Grande Wild Turkey Range
The Rio Grande Wild Turkey was found across the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Its range extended from central California across parts of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. Specifically, it inhabited the following regions:
- Southwestern United States – California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
- Central United States – Kansas, Oklahoma
- Mexico – Northern and central Mexico including the highlands region
At their peak, the two turkey species occupied almost all forested regions of North America except for the extreme northwest, southeastern coastal plain and peninsular Florida.
Current Wild Turkey Range
After centuries of overhunting and habitat destruction, wild turkey populations reached critically low levels by the early 20th century. Their range contracted significantly. However, conservation efforts over the past 70 years have allowed wild turkey numbers to rebound in many areas through restocking. Today, feral wild turkeys have also been introduced well outside their native ranges.
Current Eastern Wild Turkey Range
Thanks to extensive restocking programs, the current range of the Eastern Wild Turkey has expanded to cover most of the eastern United States and parts of southeastern Canada. Populations now exist throughout New England, the Mid-Atlantic region and the Upper Midwest. The species has also been introduced to parts of the western United States, Hawaii, Europe and New Zealand where they are considered non-native. States with wild turkeys include:
- Northeastern United States – Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland
- Southeastern United States – Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana
- Midwestern United States – Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas
- Western United States – Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii
- Canada – Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Overall, the current range of the Eastern Wild Turkey covers over 1.3 million square miles, approaching their historical range.
Current Rio Grande Wild Turkey Range
The Rio Grande Wild Turkey has also expanded its range thanks to reintroduction but remains centered in the Southwestern United States. In addition to restocking efforts, its range has grown as the bird has hybridized with introduced Eastern Wild Turkeys. The current range includes:
- Southwestern United States – California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas
- Mexico – Northern and central Mexico
Though still centered in the Southwest, the Rio Grande Wild Turkey now occupies a larger portion of the western half of the United States extending as far north as Washington state.
Countries Wild Turkeys are Native To
Based on their natural historical ranges, wild turkeys are native to two countries:
- United States – Both turkey species are native to the United States. The Eastern Wild Turkey is native to the eastern half of the country while the Rio Grande Wild Turkey is native to the southwest and central regions.
- Mexico – The Rio Grande Wild Turkey is native to parts of northern and central Mexico.
Though wild turkeys have been introduced as game birds to parts of Europe, Asia, New Zealand and elsewhere, they are not native to these regions. The only countries that have naturally occurring wild turkey populations are the United States and Mexico.
Native Range Details
Here are some more details on the native ranges of wild turkeys in North America:
Country | States/Provinces |
---|---|
United States | Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico |
Mexico | Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Hidalgo, Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Durango, Zacatecas, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Sonora, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sinaloa |
Canada | Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island |
This table summarizes the states, provinces and regions where wild turkeys are considered native in North America based on historical records and archaeological evidence. The Eastern Wild Turkey inhabited forested areas throughout the eastern half of the continental United States and southeastern Canada. The Rio Grande Wild Turkey was centered in the Southwest but also extended into portions of central United States and Mexico.
Conclusion
In summary, wild turkeys are indigenous to two countries – the United States and Mexico. The Eastern Wild Turkey is native to the eastern half of the United States and parts of southeastern Canada while the Rio Grande Wild Turkey is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Though wild turkeys have been introduced well beyond their native ranges for hunting and game purposes, the only countries that originally had naturally occurring wild turkey populations are the United States and Mexico.