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My LinksEcologyFood Web Maine Hunting |
Meleagris Gallopavo |
Physical DescriptionWild turkeys weigh about 8-12 pounds when they are adults. Wild turkey have very good eyesight, acute hearing, and are “agile” fliers. They often walk or run away from any danger. They are covered with 5,000 to 6,000 feathers. Male and females look different. Male have a “fanned” out tail, and they have extra neck skin. Male and female are called different names. The female turkey are called hens, and male turkey are called toms. Diet and Feeding HabitsTurkey eat insects, greens fruits, berries, seeds, grains, and nuts. In Maine, turkey rely on dairy farms for food to they can survive in the winter. The dairy farms provide corn and manure containing undigested corn that is spread on fields or stockpiled.ReproductionTurkey lay eggs. They breed during April and May. They make nests in shallow depressions on the ground at the base of a tree or stump. They make nests under bushes, or in “dense herbaceous cover.” One egg is laid each day for up to ten to twelve days. They always stay with the eggs because many predators eat turkey eggs. Turkey eggs are a whitish tan color.HabitatWild turkey live in mature hardwoods, they also require grassy openings and hay. Turkey like pasture lands so they can raise their young. Some turkey live on seasonal marshes and orchards.Role in the EcosystemWild Turkeys are omnivores they don't eat much meat. They eat small amphibians, and insects.Herbivore- Eat only plants. Omnivore- Eat plants and animals. Carnivore- Eat only meat Scavenger- An animal or other organism that feeds on dead organic matter. Turkey are found in Southern United states to the atlantic sea board and into New England. Some wild turkey are in Central America. Turkeys live in the Temperate Deciduous Forests. Temperate regions usually have four seasons every year. Temperatures range from below freezing, to very hot in the summer. Turkey help reduce the number of seed, insects, and plants. Bibliographyhttp://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dpae/pubs/turkey.pdfhttp://www.birding.com/topbirds/0301turkey.asp www.nevadaaudubon.org/birsites/wturkey.htm/lohatanautobonsociety http://wiktel.net/birdsanctuary/wildturkeyinfo.htm http://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunttrap/hunt_management/wildturkey.htm |
Wild Turkey