As a tasty source of meat, wild turkeys face predation pressure from a diverse array of animals. Understanding what eats turkey provides key insight into managing and conserving wild populations From mammals to birds of prey, we’ll explore the primary turkey predators
Mammals That Prey on Turkeys
Several mammalian predators regularly consume turkeys. The threats they pose depends on the turkey’s life stage.
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Coyotes opportunistically prey on adult hens and gobblers. Studies show turkeys can withstand high coyote densities.
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Bobcats are a major turkey predator. They frequently kill mature birds but have less impact than small nest raiders
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Foxes like red and gray foxes stalk and kill adult turkeys. As omnivores, they also eat eggs and poults.
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Mountain lions, with their size and strength, are capable turkey predators that can take down adults.
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Golden eagles, with 6-7 foot wingspans, prey on mature turkeys, especially in open terrain.
Egg and Poult Predators
Many mammals target the vulnerable egg and poult stages:
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Raccoons are widespread nest predators that consume eggs and kill poults.
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Opossums raid nests and eat eggs. They also kill poults up to 6 weeks old.
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Skunks are problematic nest invaders, eating eggs and killing young poults.
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Rodents like rats, mice and chipmunks eat eggs and kill newly hatched poults.
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Snakes including rat snakes and bull snakes eat eggs and hunt poults.
Raptors Targeting Turkeys
Birds of prey are also significant turkey predators:
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Great horned owls are the primary avian predator, killing adults and young at night.
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Hawks like red-tails, Cooper’s, and goshawks prey on adult hens and poults.
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Intelligent crows and ravens consume unattended eggs and poults.
Additional Turkey Predators
Other predators that opportunistically prey on turkeys:
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Feral cats and dogs
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Wolves
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Bears
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Feral hogs
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Humans (hunting)
Habitat Quality and Predator Vulnerability
Turkeys evolved with these predators and have adaptations to withstand pressure. However, habitat loss increases vulnerability.
Quality habitat with dense understory vegetation provides vital escape cover and concealment from predators. Managing habitat to optimize cover is key to reducing predation impacts.
While controversial, limited predator control can benefit threatened turkey populations. But maintaining prime habitat is typically more effective long-term than predator removal.
Understanding the diverse predators of wild turkeys provides important context for management. Habitat quality also strongly influences vulnerability. With research guiding stewardship, robust turkey populations can persist despite predation.
What Eats Wild Turkeys?
Many predators find wild turkeys to be easy prey. Here are some of the main predators of wild turkeys:
Coyotes are opportunistic predators that will go after adult turkeys as well as chicks (called poults). A coyote will stalk and ambush a turkey, aiming for the neck or head.
Their numbers have increased across North America as habitats have been altered, leading to more predation on turkeys.
Bobcats are stealthy predators that hunt adult turkeys and their eggs. Using their keen sight and hearing, bobcats can trace turkey sounds and movements through vegetation. They pounce onto the backs of turkeys and kill them with a lethal bite to the neck.
Foxes are cunning predators that target turkey chicks and eggs when the opportunity arises. They raid turkey nests on the ground and use their upright pouncing skills to catch young poults. Foxes may also scavenge larger dead turkeys.
As omnivorous scavengers, raccoons eat turkey eggs whenever they come across a nest. They will also prey on recently hatched chicks. Raccoons have adapted well to human habitats, increasing interactions with wild turkeys.
Some snakes, like rat snakes and kingsnakes, will eat turkey eggs. Larger constrictor snakes may also prey on young poults or even attack mature hens. Venomous snakes like copperheads and rattlesnakes strike at adult turkeys that get too close.
Large hawks and eagles are the most frequent daytime predators of adult turkeys. They strike from above while turkeys are on the ground feeding. Sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper’s hawks specialize in catching birds and are adept turkey hunters.
Powerful owls, like great horned owls, prey on adult turkeys at night when the birds are roosting in trees. Barred owls and other species also opportunistically target roosting turkeys. Owls swallow turkeys whole and later eject indigestible feathers and bones.
What Eats A Turkey? What Does Turkey Eat?
Turkeys are large birds that are native to North America. They are a popular main dish for holiday meals and are raised on farms across the United States. But in the wild, turkeys have a complex relationship with predators and have adapted specialized diets.
In this article, we’ll look at what eats wild turkeys, as well as what turkeys themselves eat in their natural habitat.
Why Don’t We Eat Turkey Eggs!
FAQ
What predator killed my turkey?
Additionally, owls and hawks accounted for three hen deaths each, and three hens were killed by “unknown avian predators,” which leads one to believe that hawks and owls are actually among the chief predators of turkeys.
What to do if you have a wild turkey in your yard?
Kill the turkeys (WITH YOUR VALID HUNTING LICENSE) or call the game warden. Calling the game warden with information on your neighbors releasing raised turkeys into the wild, your neighbors will know it was you and you’ll deal with that. Inform the game warden of what they have done in the past and get cameras.
What animal scares turkeys?
Stuffed coyotes have their charm, but nothing scares off a wild turkey quite as enthusiastically as a loud territorial dog. Leashing your dog to a tree outside or just turning it loose to run the perimeter of your property in the morning is an excellent way to never see another turkey near your land.
Do coyotes prey on wild turkeys?
Coyotes have been reported to prey on adult wild turkeys (Leopold and Miller 1992), but because wild turkeys constituted a minor portion of coyote diet in the present study, they apparently are not regularly successful on the 4 study areas during winter or reproductive season.