Eunoia
UNLESS SOMEONE LIKE YOU CARES A WHOLE AWFUL LOT, NOTHING IS GOING TO GET BETTER IT'S NOT - Dr. Seuss
Turkey
The Wild Turkey is an introduced game bird in British Columbia, primarily found in southern regions such as the Fraser Valley, Okanagan, and parts of Vancouver Island, where they were released for sport hunting and population management. Populations are monitored and regulated, as turkeys can impact local ecosystems and agricultural areas if numbers grow unchecked.
Yellow Listed
Human Health Hazard
Conservation Status
Syilx
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Description
Wild Turkeys are large birds, with adults measuring 100–125 cm in length, wingspans of 125–155 cm, and weighing 4–11 kg, with males (toms) generally larger than females (hens). Males have iridescent bronze and copper plumage, a bare red head, a long beard (feathers protruding from the chest), and spurred legs. Females are smaller, duller in color, and lack a beard.
Habitat
Wild Turkeys occupy mixed woodlands, forest edges, open fields, riparian areas, and agricultural lands. They require roosting trees for safety at night and open areas for foraging, often near grain fields or orchards.
Food
They are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, nuts, berries, insects, small reptiles, and agricultural crops. They forage on the ground, scratching leaf litter to uncover food, and may occasionally feed in agricultural fields.
Social System, Activity & Movements
Wild Turkeys are social and gregarious, forming flocks of hens and juveniles, while adult males may form bachelor groups or remain solitary during non-breeding seasons. Social hierarchy is established through displays, vocalizations, and physical interactions, especially during breeding.
Reproduction & Parental Care
Breeding occurs in spring, with males performing elaborate courtship displays (strutting, tail fanning, gobbling). Females lay 8–14 eggs per clutch in ground nests concealed in vegetation, incubating for about 28 days. Chicks (poults) are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching and following the mother to forage, with maternal care continuing for several weeks.
Natural Mortality & Predators
Predators of eggs and poults include raccoons, foxes, skunks, and birds of prey, while adults may be preyed upon by coyotes, bobcats, and humans (hunting). Harsh weather and disease can also affect survival rates.
Credit
ChatGPT