For many of us, Thanksgiving means getting together with family and friends for a big meal. For 50 million households, that means roast turkey. Most people know that the turkeys we eat are tamed versions of the wild turkeys we see or hear in the wild. But this made me wonder about wild turkeys. I found a number of interesting things about wild turkeys I didn’t actually know.
As a child growing up in the countryside I used to love watching the wild turkeys that lived near our home. Their funny heads flashy feathers, and awkward walking style always made me laugh. But there was one turkey behavior that really fascinated me – their habit of sleeping up in trees at night!
I remember peering out my bedroom window in the evenings, looking for turkeys roosting on the branches of the big oak tree in our yard. Sure enough, there they’d be – hunkered down on the limbs, their feathers all puffed up. They looked so precarious up there! I always wondered – why do turkeys sleep in trees instead of on the ground like other birds?
As an adult learner, I’ve discovered the interesting reasons behind this quirky turkey fact. Keep reading to learn why turkeys hit the hay in trees and more fascinating facts about turkey roosting behavior!
Why Turkeys Sleep in Trees
Turkeys are vulnerable prey animals so sleeping in trees is an adaptation to avoid predators. Here are some key reasons wild turkeys roost in trees
Protection from Predators
Turkeys are large, meaty birds with many natural enemies like coyotes, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, and owls. At night when turkeys are sleeping, they are sitting ducks for predators hunting under the cover of darkness.
Roosting in trees helps keep turkeys safely out of reach from predators on the prowl. The height gives them a better vantage point to spot danger and quickly escape.
Avoid Ground-Dwelling Pests
Roosting in trees also helps turkeys avoid crawling insects and parasites like ticks, fleas, lice, and mites that live in forest brush and grass. Perching up on branches reduces contact with these annoying ground pests.
Thermoregulation
Sleeping off the ground also has thermoregulatory benefits. Turkeys fluff their feathers while roosting to trap heat. Tree branches exposed to the wind help with heat dispersion on hot summer nights.
Social Benefits
In the wild, turkeys congregate together in flocks called “rafters.” At night, they fan out on the branches of the same tree to sleep. This group roosting behavior helps with predator detection and provides a sense of safety in numbers.
Ideal Roosting Trees for Turkeys
Not just any tree will do for turkey nighttime nesting activities. They prefer mature trees with large branches in forested areas near their feeding range. Here are characteristics of good roost trees:
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Sturdy branches – Can support the weight of multiple large birds without shaking or breaking. Wider branch platforms allow turkeys to balance comfortably.
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Moderate canopy density – Provides shelter from wind or rain but allows turkeys to easily fly in and out.
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Decent height – Tall enough to deter ground predators. Usually at least 30-60 feet high.
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Open access – Spacious area around the base of the tree with few low branches or brush impeding takeoffs and landings.
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Seclusion – Far enough from human activity and surrounded by other tall trees to minimize disturbances.
Oak, hickory, maple, pine, and gum trees are favorites in hardwood forests. River bottom woodlands with sycamore, cypress, and tupelo trees provide ideal roosting habitat.
When Do Turkeys Sleep in Trees?
Turkeys are habitual creatures of patterns. Here is how their daily roosting cycles generally go:
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Sunset roosting – Turkeys fly up into their chosen roost tree about 30-90 minutes before dusk. Starting the night early reduces predation risk.
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Nighttime slumber – They snooze peacefully on branches throughout the night. Individual birds shuffle positions frequently to avoid cramping.
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Sunrise descent – Restless young males fly down at first light while hens with poults wait until after sunrise. This staggers flock activity.
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Morning feeding – Upon descending, turkey flocks break up to search for breakfast foods on the forest floor.
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Afternoon rest – On hot days, turkeys occasionally return to the trees to loaf in the shade before evening roosting.
Winter weather, human activity, predators, and migration can disrupt this natural rhythm. Turkeys may roost on the ground temporarily if conditions force them out of their trees.
Fun Facts About Turkey Roosting
Here are a few more interesting tidbits about turkeys’ treetop roosting habits:
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Mature gobblers prefer to roost alone while hens and poults congregate in flocks. Solitary roosting reduces competition for the best branches.
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Dominant gobblers usually claim the highest crowns with optimal fly-down ease while subordinate males take lower limbs.
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Wild turkeys can fly up to 55 mph over short distances and generally prefer roosting no further than a quarter-mile from their feeding areas.
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During nesting season, mother hens roost on the ground near their nests rather than joining flock mates in trees.
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Turkeys typically use the same 1-3 favorite roost trees repeatedly for months unless disturbed. But flocks will abandon traditional roosts if repeatedly threatened.
Other Turkey Tags
Adult male turkeys are called toms and females are called hens. Very young birds are poults and adolescents are called jakes.
The wild turkey’s bald head can change color in seconds with excitement or emotion. The birds’ heads can be red (pink), white, or blue.
Loud and Fast
One can hear a turkey gobble from at least a mile away, and they can run as fast as 25 miles per hour, which is about the same speed as a human track star.
Wild turkeys going up in the trees to roost
FAQ
How long will a turkey stay in a tree?
Why would a turkey be in a tree?
How do you keep turkeys from roosting in trees?
What do domestic turkeys sleep in?
Do turkeys sleep in the same tree every night?
Turkeys do not sleep in the same tree every night. They often roost in different trees to avoid predators that may be watching them. What Kind Of Trees Do Wild Turkeys Sleep In? Wild turkeys prefer to roost in trees with thick branches and foliage that provide good cover. They usually choose hardwood trees such as oak, hickory, and maple.
How do turkeys sleep?
According to All About Birds, turkeys sleep by roosting in trees. They fly into the lower limbs of trees at sundown and move from branch to branch to a higher roost spot. This debunks the myth that turkeys can’t fly.
Where do turkeys sleep in winter?
Wild turkeys love to sleep in trees during winter. Most times, they stay in areas where food is easily accessible. During the day, they hunt for food and rest up in the trees at night. Domesticated turkeys sleep in brooders in enclosed pens. They love sleeping in groups during winter for warmth and safety. Where Do Baby Turkeys Sleep?
Do turkeys roost in snow?
Turkeys will roost out of the snow whenever possible. During severe storms, they will stay in the trees, sheltering themselves from the weather as much as possible. Once the weather has calmed, they will continue to forage and browse for whatever foods they can find. Wild turkeys sleep in the branches of trees at night.
Do wild turkeys roost in trees?
Wild turkeys do take great care to keep themselves clean. To get rid of parasites and maintain healthy feathers, they regularly dust bathe, sun, and preen their feathers. What trees do wild turkeys prefer to roost in? Good roost locations include mature oak, beech, pine, and maple trees.
Why do turkeys eat different trees each night?
Each night, as the sun starts to set, turkeys will naturally seek out a tree to spend the night. Typically they move around during the day foraging for food so they may choose a different tree each night, depending on where they are when evening comes.