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Let's Talk Turkey... and Other Birds

Winter 1997-1998 Newsletter

No, not the kind that will soon be making it's appearance on your dinner table, but the noble wild bird that seems to have taken over the County!

The American Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a widely distributed game bird in N. America and the mountains and northeastern coastal plains of Mexico.

The only other member of the turkey family is the ocellated turkey, (Agriocharis ocellata) of the subtropical lowlands of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

It's name belies its origin. Native only to our continent, the turkey came to Europe via the Turkish Empire. All turkeys in temperate N. America, including the domestic turkey, are of one species. In the wild there are six different races (or subspecies) that have become markedly different in appearance in response to the influence of the different environments in which they live.

The British colonists of North America preferred red foxes to many indigenous species, including the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) which, with its tree-climbing ability and secretive, nocturnal habits, was not much fun to hunt. Red foxes were already found in North America but not in great numbers.

Our woods are inhabited by the eastern turkey, Meleagris gallopavo silvestris (meaning "forest" turkey.)

The turkey was once so common in America and so well thought of that it was considered a choice for our national emblem, along with the bald eagle. It was also the first bird (Plate No. 1) painted by John James Audubon in The Birds of North America.

Following settlement of N. America by Europeans, wild turkeys disappeared from large parts of their original range, especially in the northern and northeastern parts of the U.S. Relentless hunting for food and the clearing of much of their forest habitat took its toll.

Although not as abundant as in former times, wild turkeys are now more widely distributed in the U.S. than in the early part of the 20th century. This is a direct result of reintroduction and habitat improvement.

Turkeys were first released into Jo Daviess County in 1980. Approximately 10 hens and 6 toms have produced the abundance we see today. In fact, the release was so successful that Carroll County was stocked, in part, with birds from our County.

The N. American wild turkey can be distinguished from the similar bronze domestic turkey by it's slender, comparatively streamlined body, lighter build, longer neck and legs, and smaller, flatter head, and by its brown or buff-tipped tail.

A bird of open woods with clearings, wild turkeys have a wingspread of 4-5 ft. Males are generally larger than females, both have a fleshy snood, or 'leader,' projecting from the forehead above the bill. They have a naked (without feathers) head and upper neck colored red to purple, blue and white, with a warty texture.

The body plumage is a brilliant metallic bronze with gold, green, and red reflections, barred with black, and dark wings barred with white. Females are generally paler and buffier. Both sexes can have "beards" hanging from mid-breast, with the older males' reaching 10-12 inches. If females sport a "beard", it is usually shorter.

The sexes congregate in separate flocks in winter. Loud 'gobbling' by older, experienced males calls the hens to wooded clearings where the toms perform their famous 'strutting' dance: head tucked in, breast puffed up, wings dragging and tail raised and fanned out.

These displays are triggered by lengthening days and warming temperatures. Hens build leaf-lined nests on the ground, often near the edge of a wooded clearing. Up to twenty eggs can be found in the nest. After hatching, the hen leads her chicks away from the nest within 48 hours and they learn foraging techniques from her.

Seeds, nuts, acorns, juniper berries, wild grapes and dogwood berries are some of the foods wild turkeys rely upon. During the summer month they also consume many insects. If corn is scattered in a somewhat sheltered area, wild turkeys readily come to bird feeding stations, especially in winter when other food sources are scarce.

Many birds are attracted to backyard feeders; it is an easy and pleasurable way to "bird" during the cold winter months. With enjoyment, however, comes responsibility! If you feed birds, start by choosing a feeder site that is appealing to you and your avian guests.

An area free of disturbance where it is easy to see and convenient to refill feeders is best. Your feeder should be close to natural shelters such as trees or shrubs. Evergreens provide the best cover from winter winds and predators. Shrubs and trees that are too close, however, are an invitation for greedy squirrels and pouncing cats.

A distance of about 10 feet seems the best compromise. Ground feeding birds, such as sparrows, appreciate a loosely stacked brush pile from which to launch their feeding forays.

To attract a varied clientele, a number of feeders offering differing fare is best. The least expensive, and most readily consumed seed mix is comprised of black-oil sunflower seed, white proso millet and cracked corn. Many commercial mixes are available, but often they contain 'filler' seed that birds simply ignore.

Niger (thistle seed) is another favorite food, especially for finches. Special feeders keep the tiny seeds from spilling onto the ground. Suet (from any supermarket or meat processing establishment) is a nutritious food that takes the place of insects in the winter diet of birds that would not otherwise come to a feeder. Do not feed suet during the summer months, as it tends to turn rancid in the heat.

Bird feeding can be a year around hobby. Many of our visiting summer birds will come to a feeder if fruit is on offer. Robins, thrushes, bluebirds, waxwings and orioles may visit if raisins (soaked briefly in water) or slices of fresh fruit (especially oranges) are on display. Another favorite of these insect eating birds is a mix of peanut butter, corn meal and vegetable shortening.

Water is another obvious, but often overlooked, draw for birds. Unfrozen water can be as hard for birds to find in winter as food. Providing a dependable supply of fresh water will attract birds to your yard that would not ordinarily come to your feeder. A shallow, easy to clean birdbath is best.

A plastic saucer from a garden supply company, an up-side-down garbage can lid, even an old frying pan will work fine. An immersion-style water heater will keep the water unfrozen in the winter. Clean your birdbath often, and keep it filled with fresh water.

Here are some common sense guidelines for feeder stations:

• Avoid over-crowding at feeders by placing numerous feeders several feet apart and choosing an area with some natural or man-made cover.
• Keep you feeding area and feeders clean (scrub them with soap and water, then rinse and dip in solution of nine parts water to one part bleach. Dry thoroughly before refilling. Rake up and discard spilled seed regularly. Current recommendation is to put out only as much food each morning as can be consumed in a day.
• Keep food and food storage areas dry and free of mold and fungus.
• Check your feeders for safety. Sharp edges can injure birds and make them susceptible to infections.

Many books are now available with recipes, plans for home built feeders and general advice on how to attract birds to your backyard. Educate yourself so that you may enjoy our birds without causing them harm.

One final caveat: some birds make their living by hunting other birds! In our area, sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks regularly patrol feeding stations for a quick meal. If this offends you, do not open a restaurant for birds.

—Rickie Rachuy