what do turkeys eat in winter

What Do Turkeys Eat in Winter? Surviving the Cold Season

As winter arrives, wild turkeys face the challenge of finding food when the ground is frozen and snowcovered. But with flexible opportunistic diets these birds are well-adapted to make it through harsh winters.

Turkeys rely less on scratching through snow to uncover foods and more on switching to food sources available above the ground. Their diverse winter diet includes:

• Mast – Hard fruits like acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, and other tree nuts. Turkeys forage these nuts and seeds from the ground but also gobble up leftovers still clinging to branches.

• Grasses – Dried stalks and seeds from native grasses remain standing above the snow. Turkeys nibble on these.

• Waste Grains – Leftover grains in farm fields, like corn or wheat, provide an abundant food source for turkeys wandering farmlands. They scratch through shallow snow to access grains.

• Buds – Turkeys turn to the buds of hemlock, pines, and other conifers for nourishment. These provide nutrients when other foods are scarce.

• Forbs – Dried seeds and stalks from broadleaf plants, weeds, and wildflowers stand above the snowfall, allowing turkeys to continue foraging a variety of plant foods.

• Insects – Any dormant insects or insect eggs hidden under loose bark or in the ground litter provide a lucky protein source when discovered by foraging turkeys.

• Small Vertebrates – Turkeys supplement their diet by grabbing an occasional small lizard, frog, or other cold-blooded vertebrate while foraging if the opportunity arises.

• Backyard Bird Feeders – When natural food gets very scarce, turkeys make their way into backyards to feast on readily available seeds from hanging bird feeders.

Survival Adaptations

Turkeys possess physical and behavioral adaptations to survive cold winters:

• Insulating Feathers – With over 5,500 feathers, turkeys stay remarkably warm and dry even in freezing temperatures and snow. Their feathers provide insulation against the cold.

• Fat Reserves – By autumn, turkeys build up sizable fat reserves from abundant food sources. This fat can provide emergency energy when food is limited. Turkeys can lose up to 40% of body weight before starvation becomes a concern.

• Roosting – Turkeys roost in trees at night, safe from predators. In extreme cold or heavy snows, they may remain roosting for days to stay protected. Their feet have a locking mechanism allowing them to clutch tree branches while sleeping.

• Foraging Mobility – Turkeys walk extensively through their home ranges searching for food. Their strong legs allow them to traverse through snow-blanketed woods effectively.

• Opportunistic Diet – As omnivores, turkeys can adapt to eat a wide variety of available foods. Their diverse palate allows them to exploit any locally abundant resources during winter.

• Grit Consumption – Ingesting grit like small stones aids turkeys in grinding up hard foods like nuts and seeds when foraging.

• Feeding Frenzy – In extreme weather events, turkeys band together in large flocks to search wide areas for any food. More eyes increase the chance of discovering an untapped food bonanza.

Yard Visitors

As natural winter foods dwindle, don’t be surprised if turkeys wander into your yard in search of an easy meal from readily available bird feeders. Make sure to knock snow off elevated feeders regularly so turkeys can reach the feed below. Scattering some scratch grains on the ground can also help sustain these overwintering birds.

While colder months make survival more challenging, wild turkeys are remarkably resilient and well-equipped to make it through whatever winter weather arrives until spring brings abundant food again. Their diverse diets and adaptations help ensure our colorful year-round residents stick around for years to come.