When you think about birds that visit your Yard for a bite to eat, beautiful songbirds like cardinals, Blue Jays, or hummingbirds may come to mind. But most backyard birders fail to consider the diets of the biggest avian backyard visitor in North America: the Wild Turkey!
You’ve come to the right place if you’re interested in learning about what these giant gobblers eat. I’m going to share some facts about a Wild Turkey’s diet so you can know what to offer these behemoth birds if they visit your yard.
So, what do Wild Turkeys eat? Let’s find out!
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If you prefer to enjoy your bird information in video form, please check out my video that discusses the diets of Wild Turkeys!
Do Turkeys Eat Meat?
Turkey meat is on the menu for millions of people worldwide, but most would assume that meat is not something that turkeys incorporate into their diets. Surprisingly, though, it turns out that turkeys do eat small amounts of meat. Let me explain.
Although the vast majority of a turkey’s diet is made up of seeds, berries, and grains, turkeys won’t pass up an easy meat meal. So, what do I mean by “meat” – what animals are turkeys eating for their protein?
Well, small animals like frogs, salamanders, and mice are occasionally consumed by turkeys in addition to a wide array of insects. Interestingly, turkeys that have been introduced to Hawaii have Even learned to hunt for crabs on the beaches.
Do Turkeys Eat Snakes?
Some of you may have seen videos that appear to show turkeys eating snakes. Are these videos real, and if so, why do turkeys eat snakes?
There are–indeed–many videos out there that show turkeys pecking at snakes. Upon first glance, it would appear that these birds are trying to eat the snakes, but this is not necessarily true.
You see, turkeys recognize that snakes can be a big threat to their poults, so some turkeys choose violence when they encounter a snake. This leads turkeys to attack snakes because in their minds, they are eliminating a potential future threat.
Turkeys aren’t interested in eating a large snake when they attack One, but baby snakes are bite-sized meals that turkeys do eat occasionally.
Speaking of bite-sized babies, what do turkey poults eat?
What Do Baby Turkeys Eat?
Baby Wild Turkeys–otherwise known as poults–can immediately move around and feed themselves after hatching from their eggs. So, what do these tiny turkeys choose to eat?
A poult’s diet is a bit different compared to a typical adult turkey’s diet, as insects are the main food consumed by turkeys until they’re about five months old. Eating a protein-rich diet fueled by insects and bugs helps to support the rapid growth that young turkeys undergo.
Turkey babies would not be able to grow nearly as fast if they ate mostly seeds and berries.
Should You Feed Wild Turkeys?
Alright, now to get to the reason why many of you have tuned in to this video: the topic of feeding Wild Turkeys on your property. Before I reveal what to feed Turkeys, let’s have a quick discussion on the ethics of feeding wild turkeys. Should birders feed wild turkeys on their properties?
The thought of putting out feed and watching a gaggle of turkeys eat in your backyard interests many birders, and while the prospect of this is exciting, we should consider the impact that this can have on turkeys.
You may assume that putting out a pile of seeds would be harmless for turkeys. After all, who doesn’t love free food?! While the turkeys would doubtlessly be happy to eat your offerings, some unexpected consequences can occur for those who routinely feed turkeys.
First, turkeys that consistently eat in the same spot could contract diseases like avian influenza that concentrate in this hotspot of bird activity.
Moreover, turkeys that get used to being fed by humans can gradually lose their fear of people. Not only does this make them vulnerable to poaching, but this could make them aggressive around humans, leading them to confront people if they aren’t supplied with food.
Fortunately, there are plenty of safe and responsible ways to feed turkeys.
What Can I Feed Wild Turkeys?
Those determined to feed turkeys ethically have many options for doing so. The best way to do this is to turn your yard into a wildlife paradise filled with native trees and shrubs.
To start, consider planting some native trees that produce tasty treats that turkeys will adore. Oak trees are an excellent choice, as turkeys relish a chance to enjoy delicious acorns in the fall. Other native nut or fruit producing trees like hickory trees, crabapples, dogwoods, and hackberries are wonderful possibilities.
Another way to encourage turkeys while simultaneously making your yard beautiful includes planting native wildflowers. Turkeys enjoy eating the developing flowers in spring and the nutritious seeds in the fall. Wildflowers also support a vibrant community of insects that will sustain both adult and baby turkeys. Just remember: avoid spraying pesticides to ensure that your turkeys will have plenty to eat.
If you don’t have a ton of space to work with, one of the easiest things you can do is to simply keep the leaves in your yard each autumn. Leaves create important habitat for insects and make it easier for turkeys to locate seeds and other food items.
What Do Turkeys Eat In The Winter?
Winter is a difficult time for many birds, and this fact is no different for Wild Turkeys. Fortunately for turkeys, they’re quite resilient and built to withstand challenging winter conditions, but what do they eat in winter when foods like insects aren’t available in much of their range?
Well, turkeys rely on seeds, grains, and berries during this time of year in the frigid northern portions of their distribution. In snow-covered conditions, turkeys are known to scratch up the ground and unearth tasty morsels hidden below.
In areas that produce commercial crops during the growing season, turkeys may venture out into fields during winter to feed on plentiful waste grains like corn or soybeans. Turkeys generally don’t have trouble surviving winters, but those who live in boreal forests may struggle to find enough food during this season.
How Much Food Do Turkeys Eat In A Day?
Turkeys often forage for at least five hours a day, with birds spending more time foraging during cold spells in the northern portions of their territory. Considering how much time turkeys spend looking for food, you may wonder how much food these gobbling galliformes eat daily. So, how much food do turkeys eat in a day?
Well, the exact amount of food that a turkey eats will depend on its age and sex and the weather conditions for the day in question. Generally, though, hens will eat about one-third of a pound of food daily, while adult males can eat half a pound to a pound daily.
How Long Can Turkeys Go Without Eating?
Turkeys can definitely put away plenty of food, but they can also survive for an incredible amount of time without eating. Take a guess as to how long turkeys can go without food.
Well, assuming that a turkey has average levels of fat reserves, these game birds have been recorded surviving for 19 days without food!
Such a feat is possible thanks to three adaptations: a low metabolic rate, terrific insulation, and an ability to pack on plenty of fat when food is plentiful.
Conclusion
Overall, turkeys have been able to flourish across much of North America thanks to their adaptable diets and willingness to forage in many different habitats. This adaptability will ensure that they persist for many years to come.