Turkeys are the “It” bird of the season. and theres more to know about them than ideal over temperatures and baking times. Benjamin Franklin was so fond of turkeys he recommended they become our national bird. But turkeys have a dark side. If you encounter one in the wild, dont look it in the eye…
As a wild turkey enthusiast, I’m often asked if wild turkeys eat meat. The short answer is yes, wild turkeys are omnivorous birds that will eat small amounts of meat opportunistically. However, the bulk of their diet consists of vegetation, insects, nuts and seeds. In this article, I’ll provide a detailed overview of wild turkey diets and explain when and why they might eat meat.
An Omnivorous Diet
Wild turkeys are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diet changes depending on the season and food availability. Here’s a quick overview of what wild turkeys eat:
- Spring/Summer: insects, tender greens, berries, seeds
- Fall: nuts, seeds, fruits, some insects
- Winter: waste grain, seeds, fruits
While vegetation and insects make up the majority of their diet, wild turkeys are opportunistic foragers. They will eat meat on occasion, especially if other food sources are scarce.
Protein from Insects
Insects and other invertebrates provide an important source of protein for wild turkeys. Insect consumption is highest during the spring and summer months when hens are laying eggs and young poults require high-protein foods for growth and development.
Common insect foods include grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, flies, ants, millipedes, spiders and more. By some estimates, insects and other invertebrates can make up over 75% of poult diets in the first few weeks after hatching.
Small Vertebrates
Wild turkeys will prey on small vertebrates on occasion. Documented cases of wild turkeys eating meat mostly involve consumption of amphibians like frogs and salamanders.
There are also rare reports of wild turkeys killing and eating baby birds, mice, snakes and lizards However, vertebrate prey constitutes a very minor part of their diet. Meat is eaten opportunistically as encountered, not actively hunted
Carrion
Another way wild turkeys acquire meat is by eating carrion – the decaying flesh of dead animals. Wild turkeys have been observed scavenging on animal remains, including deer carcasses.
However, carrion feeding is uncommon overall. Vultures and other dedicated scavengers are much better adapted to this feeding strategy.
Why Wild Turkeys Eat Meat
There are a few reasons why wild turkeys may eat small amounts of meat:
-
Protein – Meat provides a concentrated source of protein needed for growth and egg production. Insects are the main protein source, but vertebrates can supplement.
-
Opportunistic feeding – As generalist foragers, turkeys will eat whatever food they encounter. Vertebrate prey and carrion may be eaten opportunistically.
-
Grit and minerals – Bone and teeth fragments in carrion provide important grit and minerals like calcium.
-
Limited food availability – In times of severe food shortage, turkeys may turn to atypical foods like carrion.
Meat in Wild vs. Domestic Turkeys
The topic of meat eating is more relevant for wild turkeys than domestic ones. Domestic turkeys are provided complete, balanced feed rations and have little need to eat meat.
Wild turkeys acquire meat opportunistically as they forage for a diverse array of plant and animal foods. In contrast, domestic turkeys have no need to hunt insects or scavenge carcasses for nutrients.
To summarize, wild turkeys are omnivorous birds that eat mostly plants, insects, nuts and seeds. They will eat small amounts of meat opportunistically in the form of insects, amphibians, carrion and possibly other vertebrates. However, meat constitutes a very minor part of their diet compared to vegetation. Their consumption of meat is naturally limited by their physiology as largely herbivorous birds.
So in answer to the original question – yes, wild turkeys will eat meat, but only in small quantities. The bulk of their diet is composed of plant foods like grass, fruits and seeds. Meat provides supplemental protein and nutrients but is not a dietary staple for wild turkeys.
Wild Turkeys and Domestic Turkeys Don’t Have Much In Common
One uniting factor among turkeys is their snood, the fleshy (and, Ill say it, kind of disturbing) protuberance that hangs from the top of the male turkeys beaks. Other than that, though, wild and domestic turkeys dont have much in common.
Wild turkeys are…
- Smaller and have darker, firmer meat that has a more intense flavor than their farmed cousins
- Stay quiet to avoid predators
- Can fly, but not very far.
Domestic turkeys are…
- Bred to be white.
- Wont shut their gobs
- Bred to have unnaturally large breasts
- Cant fly at all.
Turkey Fast Facts
- Turkeys are native to North America, and wild turkeys can be found in every U.S state except Alaska.
- 7 Million wild turkeys roamed the United States in 2017
- 242 Million meat tukeys were raisedd in the U.S. in 2017
- Turkeys are Galliforms, an order of heavy, ground-feeding birds that also includes grouse, chickens and pheasants.
- Wild Turkeys are omnivorous and eat seeds, insects, frogs and lizards.
Why Don’t We Eat Turkey Eggs!
FAQ
Do wild turkeys eat animals?
Wild turkeys eat insects and other small animals, so they are predators, in a sense, but they become the prey of other birds, reptiles or mammals. Predator-prey relationships have evolved over thousands of years. Predators are usually opportunistic feeders. They look for the easiest way to a meal.
Are wild turkeys carnivorous?
Turkeys are omnivores. Adults eat acorns, leaves, buds, seeds, fruits, waste grains, and insects. Young turkeys (poults) mostly rely on protein rich insects. Wild turkeys spend most of the daylight hours on the ground with other turkeys in a flock.
What is the favorite food for wild turkeys?
Sunflower, milo, and millet are all enjoyable types of seeds to put out for wild turkeys. Nuts- Acorns are a chosen favorite for wild turkeys. But in the wintertime, acorns can become scarce. Beech and hickory nuts are a great alternative.
What do wild turkeys eat in my yard?
Wild turkeys are opportunistic foragers and can eat a wide variety of leaves, grass, seeds, berries, insects, worms, snails, frogs, and small reptiles. This allows them to thrive in a variety of natural habitats. They also can inhabit residential areas, particularly where they are being fed.
Can turkeys eat meat?
Yes, they can. Turkeys are omnivores and that means they eat animal and vegetable matter. Turkeys can eat all kinds of fresh meat, be it from mammals, other birds, reptiles, amphibians, or insects.
How do wild turkeys eat?
Wild turkeys will swallow their food whole and the food will be stored in their crop after which it will be digested in small portions. After feeding, wild turkeys will roost for a few hours while the food digests. What Do Wild Turkeys Like to Eat? Wild turkeys’ diet will be determined by the time of the year.
Do wild turkeys eat insects?
Wild turkeys do consume insects. Wild turkeys eat a lot of insects. They scrape and peck all day for grasshoppers, beetles, snails, caterpillars, and ticks. Do wild turkeys eat meat?
Are turkeys omnivores?
Raising turkeys is no different, but what most people don’t know is just how varied a turkey’s diet can be. Turkeys are omnivores, and they eat all kinds of plant and animal matter naturally. However, as varied as their diet is, they can’t eat quite everything, and some things are bad for them.
What vegetables do turkeys eat?
Turkeys are surprisingly adept at finding and digging up tubers and other root veggies of all kinds. Potatoes, wild carrots, wild onions, cassava, yams, and more are all excellent sources of energy, vitamins, and minerals for them.
Do turkeys eat ticks?
Turkeys naturally consume ticks by the cartload in the wild, making them an entirely safe and familiar food source – though a food source that can bite your turkeys back! Assuming you’re keeping an eye out for infestations, ticks can help diversify the diet of your domestic turkey, mimicking their natural feeding habits.