THE FUNDAMENTALS OF WILD TURKEY BREEDING AND COURTSHIP

Author: Eric Lance CWB®, CNRP

 The wild turkey is an iconic bird native to North America, known for its impressive gobbling call. These birds are known for their reproductive strategies, which are essential for maintaining the population of the species. In this short article, we will explore the reproductive and breeding process of the wild turkey.

Breeding Season:

Breeding season for the wild turkey varies depending on the location and climate. Generally, breeding season starts in late winter or early spring, from March to May. During this time, the male turkeys, also known as toms, become more vocal and start displaying their feathers to attract females, also known as hens.

The reproduction process of wild turkeys in the Midwest typically begins in early spring, usually in March or April. During this time, male turkeys, or toms, become more active and start to display their feathers and make gobbling sounds to attract females, or hens.

Courtship Display:

The male turkeys begin courtship by displaying their feathers, which include a fan-shaped tail and iridescent plumage. They also strut and make a drumming sound by beating their wings against their chest, which can be heard up to a mile away. This display is done to attract females and establish dominance among males.

When a hen is ready to mate, she will signal her readiness to the toms through a series of clucks and purrs. The toms will then compete with each other for the chance to mate with the hen. They may display their feathers, fan their tails, and strut around in circles, making gobbling sounds and puffing themselves up to appear more attractive to the hen.

Mating Process:

Once a tom has attracted a hen, he begins to court her by performing a series of behaviors that include puffing up his feathers, dragging his wings on the ground, and fanning his tail. If the hen is receptive to the toms' advances, she will crouch down and raise her tail feathers to allow the tom to mount her. Copulation can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

Nesting and Egg Laying:

After mating, the female turkey will begin to search for a suitable nesting site. She will choose a location on the ground that is hidden from predators, such as tall grass or thick bushes. The hen will then begin to lay her eggs, usually one egg per day, until she has laid a clutch of around 10-12 eggs. Once all the eggs are laid, she will begin to incubate them by sitting on the eggs to keep them warm and protect them from predators.

Incubation and Hatching:

The incubation period for wild turkey eggs is approximately 28 days. During this time, the hen will leave the nest for short periods to feed and drink but will return to the nest to keep the eggs warm. Once the eggs are ready to hatch, the poults (baby turkeys) will start to break through the shell using their egg tooth, a small pointed bump on the top of their beak. The poults are precocial, meaning they are born with feathers and can walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the wild turkey has a unique and fascinating reproductive process that ensures the continuation of the species. From the courtship display to the hatching of the poults, the process of breeding and reproduction for wild turkeys is essential for maintaining the population of these iconic birds. It is important to understand the reproductive process of the wild turkey to ensure the conservation of the species for future generations to enjoy.

About the Author:

 Eric Lance is a professionally certified wildlife biologist and natural resource professional based out of Ohio who works as a consultant, and as a faculty member in the department of biological sciences at Kent State University. In addition to all this, he also is the creator and host of the HuntScience Podcast which you can find on YouTube, as well as all the popular podcasting platforms to include Apple and Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Email: elance@lansourceconsulting.com

Website: www.lansourceconsulting.com

Website: www.huntsciencepodcast.com