What better bird to talk about on the day before Thanksgiving than the Turkey? No, not the one stuffed, roasted, and gracing your table, but the wild turkey. Here are a few tasty bits of information to regale your holiday guests with, should the table conversation fall silent.
According to various sources, the Pilgrims did in fact dine in part on wild turkey at that dinner in the fall of 1621. However, by 1672 they were considered “rare” in the area around Boston. By 1800 their populations were in deep decline in Massachusetts, to the point that by 1851 they were gone from the state entirely. The causes of this extirpation most likely included deforestation and unregulated hunting.
From about 1911-1967 a number of attempts were made to re-introduce them. These were largely unsuccessful. However from 1972-73 renewed attempts did prove successful. By 1978 the program was declared a “success” and Massachusetts once again had a breeding population of wild turkeys. Current population estimates vary but suffice it to say there are at least 20,000 of them today. Indeed, the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas 2 proclaims this to be “…the greatest returning native avian species success story in Massachusetts history.”
Today turkeys can be found in all of the 48 contiguous states, in parts of Mexico, and in at least 4 Canadian Provinces, among other spots. Across this range there are 6 subspecies of “wild” turkeys, with those in Massachusetts being aptly called the “Eastern Wild Turkey”.
It seems that the name “turkey” may well have been derived from the “turk, turk,turk” calls among the 28 or so vocalizations this bird is known to make. Other sources say that at one point in time the exotic look of the bird brought to mind the far off country of Turkey, and that at that time the word was used to describe things of a wild and beautiful nature. Not a bad way to describe this snazzy looking bird!
I should tell you that I have had very little personal interactions with wild turkeys. Indeed the first time I encountered them was while zooming west on the Mass Pike. I spotted a flock along the roadside. Being a “life bird” for me, I braked hard and swerved for a better look, to the horror of those sharing the road with me that day. Please note, never tailgate a birder!
Turkeys are really quite fascinating and social creatures. They have an average lifespan of about 1-½ years, with the oldest known banded bird living to the ripe age of 15. Courting, which involves a good bit of gobbling and strutting about on the part of the males, can begin as early as late February.
The females subsequently nest on the ground in scrapes, laying 10-12 eggs, which hatch after an average of about 26 days. Upon hatching, the chicks are precocial and are up-and-about, following and learning from the hen for up to 5 months. The young birds feed mostly on insects, while the adult’s diet varies with the seasons and can include grasses, buds of woody vegetation, nuts and berries among other items.
Predators include mammals such as raccoons, skunks, coyotes and the like. Avian predators are known to be crows, Great Horned Owls and various hawks. Turkeys can be hunted in Massachusetts in the spring and fall with the proper license.
Turkeys are non migratory, but flocks usually have different seasonal territories which can be a mile or more in size. They have a very strict “pecking order,” with dominate males laying claim to the best spots and the best hens. This sense of “place” within the flock is learned by both sexes. When establishing and defending this hierarchy, turkeys can be quite aggressive. And herein lies the problem.
Nowadays turkeys can be found in close proximity to humans, sometimes in suburban neighborhoods. Over the past few years there have been reports of turkeys chasing a woman down the sidewalk in Brookline, several reports of turkeys “trapping” people in their houses, and chasing police and mailmen into their vehicles and then down the road as they drove away! These birds have decided that such folks are on the low end of the “pecking order”
In response to the ever-growing problems of the juxtaposition of turkeys and humans, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has issued a guide to “Preventing Conflicts with Turkeys.” Some useful information from this document (available online) are: cover reflective surfaces so that the turkey won’t think that their reflection is another turkey and attack it, and don’t feed them so that they will not become habituated to humans. It is also recommended that you “be bold around turkeys.” Not so easy to do with a turkey with a crazed look in its eye in hot pursuit! With wild turkeys now well established on the south coast, and the Cape, feral turkeys on Martha’s Vineyard and the odd report of turkeys chasing bikers on the bike paths of Nantucket, it might be a good idea to take a look at this document!
In spite of some reports of a “problem” bird, many folks do consider the turkey to be a beautiful and noble bird. Ben Franklin is quoted in part as having this to say about the wild turkey: "He is, besides, (though a little vain and silly) it is true…a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, who should presume to invade his farmyard with a red coat on.”
So on the off chance that you might encounter a “gang” of wild turkeys, grab a stout walking stick as you head out tomorrow for a stroll about the neighborhood to walk off your dinner. Keep in mind the advice from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to be “bold”. Also keep in mind the sage words of Mr. Franklin, and whatever you do DON’T wear a red coat!
