![]() It's all about establishing dominance, according to the Massachusetts Division of Wildlife and Fisheries. She describes wild turkeys as "highly gregarious," and because this part of their nature causes them "to hang out with each other." Don't back downīack to what to do when you encounter a bunch of wild turkeys. A lot of flocking behavior also has to do with protection from predators, though turkeys don’t have a whole lot of predators - the young certainly do, but when you get a big tom turkey there’s not a lot that’s going to take that on." "In winter they roost in large flocks," she explains. But in the fall, wild turkeys come together in large flocks, or rafters, of three dozen and more of mixed gender and age. There may be groupings of one to nine toms, and groupings of up to 30 brooding females. Most times of the year, there are small, non-breeding groupings of two to three birds. During breeding season they break up into much much smaller groups," Rines says. "That’s because this is the time of the year when they form flocks. So why do wild turkeys stick out more in the fall? In reality, Rines explains, they are around all year, foraging in the woods and grasslands, eating bugs, berries, nuts, seeds and grasses. Birds of a feather flock togetherĪt this time of year, it can seem that wild turkeys are suddenly out and about in large numbers. She has herself found dozens of wild turkeys on her lawn at times, and finds they will disperse when she goes out and shoos them away loudly. "They are big birds," Rines says, noting there are cases when turkeys have been known to harass people. While wild turkeys generally will scatter, she says, "there are times when turkeys can be aggressive" - this is most especially true during mating season in mid March to May. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about these interesting creatures! If you’re interested in reading more, be sure to follow our blog for future posts on all things related to turkeys."For the most part, you just walk along and they'll get out of your way," says Marj Rines, a naturalist with the Massachusetts Audubon Society.īut, she admits, it can all depend on how aggressive the birds are, especially the toms and the juvenile jakes working on establishing their place. We’ve shared some fun facts about turkeys that you may not have known in this article. Domestic turkeys are usually fed a diet of corn, soybean meal, and wheat. In the wild, turkeys mostly eat insects, seeds, and berries. Turkeys are omnivorous animals that eat various things, depending on their location. The more females there are in a group, the more chances the males have to mate. The male turkeys will strut their stuff in front of the females and compete for their attention. Turkeys also flock together is to breed.They can keep warm and avoid being scattered by the wind by staying together. Another reason is that the flocking instinct helps them conserve energy.A group of turkeys is harder for predators to take down than a single turkey. There are a few reasons why turkeys flock together: During mating season, a flock can be as large as 200 birds. However, flocks can range in size from just a few birds to as many as 100 or more. Generally speaking, however, a typical flock of turkeys will contain anywhere from 10 to 30 birds. This is because the numbers in a flock can vary greatly depending on the size, age, and season. There is no definitive answer to this question. Turkeys are usually white or black and have a characteristic red wattle or fleshy protuberance on their heads. Turkeys can live for up to 10 years when domesticated and up to 5 in the wild. The average domestic turkey weighs between 15 and 24 pounds, with toms weighing heavier than hens. ![]() Because they are low in fat and rich in protein, they are a popular meat option.ĭomestic turkeys are bred to be much larger than their wild counterparts. Turkeys can be raised on small or large farms and used for meat and eggs. Turkeys are large, domesticated birds native to North America and most closely related to the chicken. Baby turkeys and young turkeys with less than one year are called Poults. ![]() Adult females are called Hens, and younger ones are known as Jenny. Flocks can range in size from a few birds to hundreds of birds.Īdult male turkeys are called toms, while juvenile males are Jakes. Keep reading for some interesting facts about turkeys.Ī rafter, flock, or a gang A group of wild turkeys is called a flock when domesticated, you refer to them as a rafter of turkeys. Turkeys are a staple of many American Thanksgiving dinners, but how much do you know about these birds? Do you know what a group of turkeys is called? How big can they get? What do they eat? ![]()
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