Had a hen turkey in the backyard yesterday. Alone. I’ve seen more than a few adult hens wandering about recently with no poults.
Sure, it is possible that the hen has a nest nearby and is simply out feeding. But most of the nesting should be done by now. A more dire suggestion is that the unusually persistent rains and cold nights have killed the majority of the poults, who are vulnerable at this time of year.
They have not yet developed feathers and thus have no protection against the wet, then lethally cold conditions.
Yes, hens can lose an entire clutch and go nest again, laying more eggs. But that cannot happen indefinitely.
Biologists I’ve questioned this year are split on the extent of this spring’s weather kill, but all agree that some young birds are probably gone.
Last week’s column on the slim possibility of dove hunting being legislated into New York’s future drew plenty of questions. Some were from people who don’t like hunting; others simply don’t like me. But most were from non-hunters who sincerely wanted to know why anyone would want to shoot a dove.
Satisfactorily explaining that to anyone who does not hunt birds is difficult, if not impossible. Most do not find the answer acceptable, and understandably so.
I mean, should we tell the non-hunter, “We should be able to shoot doves because 42 other states do;” or “We want to shoot doves because it is great wingshooting sport;” or how about “We want to shoot doves because there are lots of them and we ought to be able to kill a few.”
True, doves can be excellent table fare. They are practically diet food since one burns more calories getting meat off the bones than are provided by the tiny breasts.
Consider that crow hunting is regulated but legal and there is a season on merganzers, and people do not eat either. Can’t explain that one satisfactorily, either.
Other aspects of the column were also questioned. It was pointed out, for instance, that the mourning dove isn’t the bird of peace, as was noted in the column. My bad, there. Turns out the bird of peace is the white turtle dove, a subspecies of the European turtle dove. They do not exist in North America and, thus, are safe from American gunners.
The statement that seven New England states do not have dove hunting seasons was challenged because there are only six New England states. Actually, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service cited seven northeastern states, not New England states.
An interested observer also noted that the photo that ran with the column was a rock pigeon, not a dove. That one confused me, too. For the record, columnists do not select photos to be published.
Seeing a female wild turkey wandering solo may seem peculiar, since turkeys are highly social creatures. However, there are natural reasons hens periodically break away from their flock. Understanding typical turkey behavior helps explain why females might be spotted alone.
Overview of Wild Turkey Flocks
Wild turkeys live in social groups called flocks Key facts about flocks
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Led by dominant male (“tom”) who oversees breeding
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Consists of female turkeys (“hens”) juveniles and young males
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Hens are often related as mothers, daughters, sisters
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Juveniles establish pecking order through sparring
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Flock provides safety, foraging benefits, and communal roosting
So a lone hen separated from her flock is an unusual sight. But it can happen naturally at times.
Why Would a Female Wild Turkey Leave the Flock?
There are a few key reasons a female turkey might venture off alone:
Nesting
The most common reason is nesting. In spring, hens search for suitable sites to lay 10-12 eggs in vegetation. A hen requires total seclusion during the 25-28 day incubation so predators aren’t attracted to the nest. While still near other turkeys, a nesting hen will be extremely reclusive and appear solitary.
Maternal Separation
Female turkeys also spend extensive time alone after poults (chicks) hatch, keeping the vulnerable young isolated from the flock for 4-6 weeks. The devoted mother guides and protects her brood until they mature enough to join the wider flock.
Social Exclusion
Lower ranking hens sometimes get marginalized or even fully excluded as flocks restructure. A solitary, anxious hen repeatedly driven off likely indicates perpetual lack of flock companions rather than temporary seclusion.
Personality
Some hens are natural loners or wanderers, fulfilling their needs roaming and foraging alone. As long as they can integrate when necessary, their solo status simply reflects personality, not exclusion.
Signs a Solitary Hen Needs Help
While momentary isolation is normal, these signs could indicate an issue for a lone female turkey:
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Appearing injured, ill, or lethargic
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Constantly pacing and vocalizing
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Loitering persistently near buildings or people
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Remaining solitary across multiple seasons
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Poor feather condition and acting lethargic
A hen exhibiting consistent problems likely needs assistance to survive alone. Contacting wildlife rehabilitators to evaluate her welfare may be warranted.
Appreciating Glimpses of Solo Hens
Seeing a female wild turkey on her own offers a special chance to observe intimate behaviors.
Catching a nesting hen briefly emerge from seclusion provides a rare window into her vital incubation period.
A vigilant hen foraging with poults demonstrates remarkable maternal instinct.
Even excluded hens elicit empathy, reminding that turkeys are innately social.
While most solo hens are exhibiting natural behaviors, their vulnerability when alone is eye-opening. Understanding solitary tendencies helps support turkey well-being.
Nesting: A Closer Look at Why Hens Seek Seclusion
As mentioned, nesting is the most common reason wild turkey hens spend time away from the flock. Here is a deeper look at this solitary yet critical phase:
When Do Hens Start Nesting?
- Breeding season is late winter into spring
- By early April, hens begin searching for nest sites
- Ideal spots have dense vegetation or brush for concealment
What Is Their Nesting Process?
- Hens lay 1 egg daily until 10-12 egg clutch is complete
- They sit on the nest for 25-28 days to incubate eggs
- The hen leaves briefly twice daily to feed and return right back
Why So Much Seclusion?
- Incubation requires absolute isolation to avoid attracting predators
- Undisturbed nests have much higher chances of hatching
Where Do They Nest?
- Usually within 200 meters of water sources
- At base of trees, against fallen logs, in thickets
- Near areas to forage and feed poults after hatching
Understanding the nesting process explains the solitary behavior of brooding mother hens in springtime.
Maternal Separation: Protecting Poults
After poults hatch, devoted mother turkeys continue their isolated status to protect the vulnerable chicks:
How Long Does Separation Last?
- Usually 4-6 weeks post-hatching
- Enough time for poults to mature and handle threats
What Does the Hen Do?
- Guides poults to suitable food sources
- Provides warmth and shelter as needed
- Closely safeguards poults from harm
Why Isolate Them?
- Poults lack developed feathers and are susceptible to elements
- Predators readily consume poults and eggs
- Separation limits risks until poults grow stronger
This crucial maternal separation lasts only as long as necessary before reintegration into the flock.
Social Exclusion: Causes and Effects
The social structure of wild turkey flocks means some marginalization occurs:
What Is the Pecking Order?
- Linear hierarchy that determines dominance ranking
- Alpha male oversees breeding; juveniles establish ranks through sparring
How Does Exclusion Happen?
- As flocks reorganize, subordinate hens get pushed out
- Omega hens repeatedly shunned by aggressors
Effects on Excluded Hens
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Anxiety, aimless pacing, distressed vocalizing
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Loitering near buildings and people seeking comfort
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Poor health and survival outlook without the flock
Understanding the impacts of exclusion develops empathy for ostracized hens struggling to endure alone.
Personality: Choosing Solitude
While most female turkeys are social, some independent personalities like solitude:
What Explains a Loner Hen?
- Inborn predilection to roam and forage alone
- Fulfilled by wandering and exploring solo
Signs She’s Content Alone:
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Appears healthy, lively, with good feather condition
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Forages actively and moves with purpose
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Able to integrate into flock when needed
Is Intervention Needed?
- If she can join others when necessary, likely not
- As long as solo status reflects personality, not exclusion
For these chosen loner hens, their solitary nature is not problematic as long as temporary flock integration remains possible. Understanding unique personality differences prevents misreading their behavior.
Supporting the Well-Being of Wild Turkeys
While most solitary wild turkey hens are exhibiting natural behaviors, their vulnerability when alone makes observing them eye-opening. Appreciating the intimate glimpses offered by solo hens develops empathy for their circumstances. Whether nesting, protecting poults, excluded, or solitary by choice, their reasons offer perspective into the turkey experience. Learning their habits promotes support for hen welfare and the perpetuation of these captivating birds.
Fly tying open house
Badger Creek Fly Tying in Freeville will host its 10th annual Open House from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
Joe Cambridge and Clayton Maybee will conduct fly tying demonstrations and Carol Farkus will give free casting lessons.
The shop is located at 622 West Dryden Rd. in Freeville.
For information, call Mike Hogue at 347-4946, email him at [email protected] or visit the website www.eflytyer.com.
Turkey TAM2X ALONE? WHERE IS THE FEMALE TURKEY IS GONE?
FAQ
Is it normal for female turkeys to be alone?
Turkeys are not solitary birds.
What does it mean when you see a lone hen turkey?
Sure, it is possible that the hen has a nest nearby and is simply out feeding. But most of the nesting should be done by now. A more dire suggestion is that the unusually persistent rains and cold nights have killed the majority of the poults, who are vulnerable at this time of year.
What does it mean when you see a turkey by itself?
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Young male seeking a flock:A young male turkey might be wandering alone while searching for a group to join.
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Lost from the group:Sometimes a turkey could simply be separated from its flock due to various factors like a sudden disturbance.
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Injured or sick:A lone turkey could be injured or sick, making it unable to keep up with the group.
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Feeding behavior:Turkeys can sometimes forage alone for food, even if they are part of a larger flock.
Why is a turkey hanging around my house?
Whether it is the abundance of food, or the lack of both human and natural predators, turkeys simply feel more comfortable living near people than they did a hundred years ago. I’m sure people with fancy yards don’t like turkeys, but I get a kick out seeing them.
Are female wild turkeys lone hens?
Female wild turkeys are known as hens, and you might encounter one or more lone hens during the breeding season. Usually, mother hens separate themselves from other flock members to locate safe spots to lay their eggs. During nesting, the behavior of female wild turkeys dramatically changes.
What is a female turkey called?
An adult female turkey is called a hen. This term is widely used for feminine birds, including both domestic and wild turkeys.
How do male turkeys attract female turkeys?
Male turkeys produce gobbling sounds (calls) to attract female turkeys. Male turkeys frequently court female turkeys in a group led by a dominant and highest-ranked wild turkey. Interestingly, in a single flock of wild turkeys, one matured tom (alpha) can rule over a harem of females.
Why is my wild turkey lone?
To sum up, courtship or nesting could be two main reasons why a wild turkey is by itself. Your lone turkey might also be a young Jake that has become separated from its group members. The lone jake might be calling out to his mother and fellow flocks.
Can a lone Turkey live alone?
Sibling male wild turkeys remain in a single flock and stay together for life. But in some rare cases, an omega might get casted-away from the flock or leave the group on its own. The socially cast-away omega turkey may feel oppressed and decide to live on its own. Your lone turkey might be one of those turkeys who are casted-away from the flock.
What is the difference between a male and female wild turkey?
Both male and female wild turkeys have a ‘snood’ which is a dangly appendage on the face and only a few feathers on the head. However, a female wild turkey is smaller and weighs around 8 to 12 pounds, and has no beard or spurs, while a male turkey is larger and has a beard and spurs.