Turkey

Lewis B. Moseley, Jr., Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Springtime in the glorious South brings about the emergence of many things. The barren trees begin to bud with new growth and the brown lifeless forest floor begins its transition to green. More marked than these occurrences could possibly be the opening of the spring gobbler season! This is a time in which grown men and women practice such things as putting, purring, yelping, clucking and gobbling in an effort to obtain the slightest advantage to be used in the quest of Alabama’s elusive wild turkey. Though hunted with fervor and gusto, how much do we really know about these magnificent birds?

Alabama’s wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) are members of the Eastern subspecies. They are large, powerful birds that may stand 3-4 feet tall when alert. The males of the species are called gobblers and are often recognized by their bare blue and white hued heads and necks, red wattles, and beard hanging from the mid-breast area. Tails of gobblers are often displayed in a fan-like shape while strutting. Their legs are long with spurs located just above the foot. These spurs are used as weapons when fighting to establish dominance. The males are polygamous and use their distinctive gobbling sound during breeding seasons to attract females of the species.

The females of the species are called hens and are usually the smaller of the two sexes. They have a less dramatic color and plumage that allow them to blend with their surroundings and become less distinguishable to predators during nesting season. A small percentage of hens have been known to grow beards and to the untrained eye are sometimes mistaken for gobblers, so be careful to look for the other distinguishing characteristics as well.

Flocks of turkeys begin to break up in late winter. Mature gobblers, called Toms, set up breeding territories and attract hens by gobbling. Courtship displays such as strutting usually precede actual copulation and although two gobblers may be present, only the dominant bird will do the breeding. Breeding seasons usually extend from late winter through mid-May, peaking in March and April. Hens usually average a clutch of approximately 10-12 eggs that they incubate for 28 days. Many times hens will abandon the nest at the slightest disturbance and may not attempt to nest again that season.

The diet of the wild turkey is made up largely of whatever can be foraged from the ground. Staple foods for adult turkeys include seeds, nuts, and acorns while insects and other animal matter comprise a large portion of a young turkey’s diet.

The wild turkey can be found throughout most of the state of Alabama. These populations of wild turkeys, however, have not always been so prominent. The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division estimates there are around 350,000 of these magnificent birds present in Alabama today. The successful repopulation of these birds can be attributed to an extensive restocking program, improved habitat management, and protection from over hunting.

For more information, contact the Wildlife Section at 334-242-3469.