Birds

When Europeans first came to Massachusetts Wild Turkeys where found everywhere. However they where wildly hunted and their habitat was lost do to colonization. In 1851 the last Wild Turkey in Massachusetts was killed on Mount Tom. Between 1972 and 1773, 37 Wild Turkeys where released and today the estimated population is more then 20,000 Turkeys.

Turkeys

Wild Turkeys are 4 tall and are covered in iridescent feathers. A male turkey also known as a Tom have a reddish blue head and a hair like beard on their breast. Female turkeys also known as Hens can also have a beard (just like Turk did when she was younger) and are smaller and duller in color then Toms. Adult Turkeys eat a variety if plant material where as young turkeys mainly eat insects. In the spring Turkeys male turkeys will find as many female turkeys as they can and mate with them. Toms make their famous gobble to lure in the Hens and then fluff out their feathers, swell out their facial wattles and strut in front of Hens.

Hawks

In Massachusetts Hawks can often be spotted soaring over an open field, or perched in a roadside tree. There are 7 hawk species you may spot soaring around in Massachusetts. They may eat small mammals, birds, reptiles and even insects. Please go to the Mass Audubon website to learn more!

Owls

Owls are mostly nocturnal creatures which means they are active at night. Here in Massachusetts there are eight species of owls. Owls are found in all sorts of habitats such as dense swamps, dense forests, wood lots, grasslands and residential neighborhoods. Long and Short Eared Owls typically begin hunting just before sundown and may be spotted flying low over meadows looking for prey.

Owls are vocal creatures and can commonly be heard right after Sunset and right before sunrise. Additionally they are often heard during courtship and early breeding season. Eastern screech and Barred Owls may be heard during the day. Owls main source of food is mice. They eat their prey whole and regurgitate the indigestible bones and fur as pellets.

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