A Turkey for Christmas

text and photo : Norma A. Hubbard (February 2013)

In the past few years we have had wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) wander through our property, including two winters ago when there was a lot of snow, we had a flock come to our birdfeeders. They were quite the sight to see next to our smaller songbirds! On Boxing Day this year, only one turkey came to our yard. It is not a large turkey and it has no spurs, so I am certain it is a female. She may have gotten separated from her flock during the storm, or because she has mangled tail feathers, she may have gotten lost during a coyote attack. While we do not know why she is here, she seems to be staying. A friend nicknamed her, Butterball. As I write this article, Butterball has been here for a week and still shows no sign of leaving. She roosts on our front deck at night, and generally ‘hangs’ around us when we go outside.

Wild turkeys are native to North America, yet they were almost eliminated due to over-hunting and habitat loss. It was only due to programs to re-establish wild turkeys that we are lucky enough to have these birds all-year in our area. Turkeys, like many birds, live in groups and winter flocks of over 200 birds have been recorded in some areas in the States – which makes our lone bird an unusual and rather a sad occurrence this winter

A wild turkey can measure between 110-115 cm in length with a wingspan of up to 144 cm. They weigh between 2500 g and 10800 g. Wild turkeys are the largest game birds. Although they are not the best flyers, wild turkeys can fly. Our turkey can easily fly to the roof of our house, but she is not very graceful. Wild turkeys are omnivores and are generally ground feeders, eating fruit, nuts, plant buds, insects, and even frogs and salamanders. It seems they eat whatever they can find. Butterball has been enjoying birdseed and even drinks from the birdbath along with all the other birds, although she does clear the area of all birds when she spreads her wings.

Female turkeys are called hens and nest on the ground. A nest, or a cluck, may contain between 4-17 eggs. Often a hen will fake an injury to lure predators, such as raccoons, skunks, and coyotes, away from her eggs or brood. Turkey chicks are called poults. The hen raises her poults without any help from the male turkey, but poults begin to forage on their own within days of hatching. Male turkeys are known as toms or gobblers, for obvious reasons.

Currently in Quebec, it is legal to hunt wild turkey during the spring hunting season when hunters are permitted one bird per season. Sadly, this restriction is not always followed. So while some may think it is just ‘dinner’ and I am silly to care about one wild turkey, I am quite attached to Butterball. However, like all wild animals, I approach her with respect and caution. I am sure when a flock passes by she will join them as she seems to miss her flock as she follows us around. Meanwhile, this is one turkey that came to dinner, but gets to leave!

References:
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
Sport Hunting in Quebec