Wild Turkey

taxonomy

kingdom: Animal

Phylum: Chordate

Class: Aves

Order: Galliformes

Family: Phasiandae

Genus: meleagris

Species: meleagris Gallopavo

Evolution

Subspecies: Eastern wild turkey, Osceola wild turkey, Rio Grande wild turkey, merriam's wild turkey, Gould's wild turkey,

Existence: the earliest turkeys evolved in North America over 20 million years ago. they share a recent common ancestor with grouse, pheasants, and other fowl.

Closest living relative: the closest living relative to the wild turkey is the Ocellated wild turkey, Meleagris Ocellata, of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Three Ancestors: Theropod dinosaurs (like Velociraptors), Archaeopteryx: one of the earliest known birds, and Confuciusornis: is a genus of primitive birds that lived around 125 million years ago.

Description

Males/Females

male turkeys are generally bigger then females
the feathers on a male turkey are more vibrant and iridescent than on the female turkey
female turkeys have smaller snoods and a less prominate wattle than male turkeys

body description

turkeys are very large and stocky birds. they are one of the heaviest birds in north america
turkeys have long legs, rounded tails, small heads, and a slim neck
turkeys are land dwelling birds. there main defense mechanism id there amazing eyesight

Specifics

Wild turkeys wiegh between 11-24 pounds and 39-49 inches long for males. females range from 5-12 pounds and 30-37 inches long
wild turkeys usual life span is from 3-5 years

Habitat

turkeys are generalists and live in many different habitats. turkeys are able to thrive all across north america. Since there range is so big there isn't a set habitat that they need to survive. But research has shown that ideal turkey habitat is 1/2 wooded, 1/4 abandoned fields, 1/4 active agriculture. turkeys are very adaptable allowing them to change quickly. meaning turkeys are a species that can thrive along side human developments.

Distribution

wild turkeys live all over north america. the enhabit 49 out of the 50 states (Alaska does not have a wild turkey population). turkeys populations also reach down deep into mexico. turkeys do live in canada just very close to the uSA border.

Diet

Turkeys are not very specific when it comes to there diet. they eat leaves, grasses, seeds, berries, insects, worms, snails, frogs, and small reptiles. they eat almost anything. this allows them to thrive in many different habitats. turkey also eat consistently, hens usually eat 1/3 pounds of food daily, while toms can est up to a 1 pound of food daily.

Social structure

Turkeys are a flocking species and enjoy the company of their own kind. It is not unusual to witness several family groups come together after hatching into one large flock of several hens with their broods. Jakes will form bachelor groups, and mature toms will gather during the non-breeding season. males and females do flock together but thst is mostly around mating season.

Reproduction

Courtship behavior patterns include gobbling and strutting by the males, this attracts the female. Eventually the male will literally stand on top of the female before beginning coitus, which lasts less than a minute, though sometimes the couple will mate multiple times. Turkeys are polygamous, and one tom can fertilize as many as 10 hens. Egg laying begins in April, and each hen will lay a clutch of 11 to 12 eggs over a two-week period. She usually chooses the base of a large, mature tree or stump, such as an oak or beech, in fairly open, isolated woods. The young, called poults, are able to fly in three or four weeks, but they stay with their mother up to four months.

Developement

Turkeys hatch from eggs, but aren't called chicks. turkey hatchlings are called poults, then they mature becoming full grown turkeys. on average turkeys become sexually mature around 1 years old. from 4-5 months is when the poults stop relying on their mothers and enter the flocks. the young birds learn and copy what more experience birds do to survive.

Causes of death

Wild Turkeys have several natural predators, including coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, mountain lions, Golden Eagles and Great Horned Owls. Nest predators include raccoons, opossums, striped skunks, gray foxes, woodchucks, rat snakes, bull snakes, birds, and rodents. Wild turkeys are popular among hunters. Basically any predator can kill turkeys or eat eggs from there nests.
Wild turkeys are susceptible to a number of diseases, as well as both internal and external parasites. Some common infectious diseases include avian pox, Lymphoproliferative neoplasms (transmissible tumors), infectious sinusitis and histomoniasis (blackhead disease).

Competition

Inter-species competion: turkeys are social animals that flock together. most times the burds will co-existe with one another. the only factor that would change that is if there isn't enougn resources to support more turkeys.
intra-species compition: they compete with all other animals that live in the same habitat. deer, grouse, pheasants, elk, are all animals that feed on the same thing as turkeys. but turkeys will not comfront them or try to run them off. Of course turkey populations do better with less competition but they can't do anything about it.
invasive species do compete with turkeys for food. wild pigs in the southeastern part of the USA have been causing harm to the turkey populations do to them hogging all the available food. but other than that not really.

IUCN Rating

Turkeys fall into the least concerned rating and have a health population. but recently acroos the country turkey populations have started to decline slowly. due to habitst loss, deases, and climate change.
right now in North America they estimate the turkey population is between 6-7 million wild turkeys.

Impact of humans

Humans have been interacting with wild turkeys for nearly 2000 years. The most major impact humans have had on turkeys in the past has come from over hunting, causing the turkey population to nearly go extinct in North America. But on the positive side, conservation efforts, habitat, restoration, and regulated hunting have helped while turkey populations recover from this near extinction in the early 20th century. Of course humans do affect habitat and cause deforestation, hurting turkeys populations but in the end, humans and turkeys can co-exist. the future is steady for the wild turkey populations.