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.
Wild turkeys are highly social, flocking birds. So when we encounter a lone turkey wandering solo, it often raises questions about why it separated from its flock. There are some natural reasons wild turkeys may temporarily stray away and go it alone.
Overview of Wild Turkey Flocks
Wild turkeys form flocks for safety mating access and easier foraging. Flock sizes fluctuate by season as birds scatter for breeding and nesting.
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Winter flocks contain hundreds of turkeys of mixed ages and genders.
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Spring flocks break up as hens nest and toms establish mating territories
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Hens raise poults in small maternal groups in summer
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Flocks reassemble in fall ahead of winter.
So a solo turkey is often just transitioning between these seasonal social structures. Let’s explore key times turkeys strike out alone.
Solitary Toms Seeking Mates
In spring, male turkeys compete aggressively for mating opportunities. Dominant alpha toms claim the most hens while driving off younger juvenile males.
These displaced juvenile toms often find themselves excluded from flocks during the breeding season. They wander on their own searching for unmated hens. Their solitary status is temporary until they can rejoin flocks after mating concludes.
Some solo male turkeys are also young adults seeking to court hens away from watchful dominant toms. To avoid competition, they stray from the flock to display for hens independently. Their lone wolf behavior is driven by their underdog mating strategy.
Nesting Hens Require Seclusion
Another reason wild turkeys appear solitary in spring is nesting hens seeking privacy. Hens will break from flocks and act very secretive while selecting nest sites and laying eggs.
They need seclusion during the 25-28 day incubation period. Their nests are hidden in vegetation near water sources. Though often alone while nesting, hens still stay nearby to the flock’s range.
New Mothers Isolate with Poults
Maternal instinct leads hens to isolate from general flocks after poults hatch in early summer. Hens and their poults form exclusive small family groups for the poults’ first weeks of life.
By keeping away from other turkeys, hens can better protect vulnerable poults and lead them to food sources. So a hen trailed closely by poults may seem “lone” when simply bonding with her babies.
Some Turkeys Are Natural Loners
Wild turkeys are inherently social, but personality affects group behaviors. Some individuals choose a more solitary life even when flocking is safer.
If a turkey appears healthy while ranging independently for prolonged periods, it may simply be exhibiting an innate predisposition for alone time. These natural loners find sufficient resources apart from flocks.
Signs a Solitary Turkey Needs Help
While temporary isolation is normal, extended solitary behavior or signs of harm may indicate an issue requiring assistance:
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Limping or inability to walk/fly properly
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Visible injury or illness
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No flock companions for multiple seasons
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Emaciated or lethargic appearance
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Approaching buildings/people repeatedly
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Distress calls when alone
If a turkey displays these, alerting wildlife officials could help save its life. They can evaluate its condition and determine if rehabilitation is warranted.
Appreciating Chance Encounters with Solo Turkeys
Crossing paths with a lone wild turkey can create special nature watching and photography moments. Without others around, it’s easier to quietly observe their behaviors.
From a strutting tom fanning his tail to a watchful hen with poults, even brief solo turkey sightings offer memorable experiences. Consider yourself fortunate to glimpse these normally social birds out on their own now and then.
Wild turkeys lead predominantly social lives yet have natural reasons for seeking solitude temporarily. Though lone turkeys are commonly just exhibiting seasonal behaviors, keep an eye out for signs of distress requiring assistance. With understanding, we can better appreciate encountering and respecting these majestic birds when they are on their own.
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.
Guy Who Raised Wild Turkeys Won’t Leave Him Alone Now | The Dodo
FAQ
Why do some turkeys travel alone?
Females spread out on the landscape to nest, meaning the larger groups you find at the end of winter will split up into smaller and smaller units as they explore for good places to lay their eggs. As females start incubating they spend almost all their time alone on the nest and disappear from these hen flocks.
Is it unusual to see a turkey by itself?
Your lone turkey could be one of those guys. The bachelor toms will eventually be welcomed back by the females and their broods, once the mating season is over. It might also be a younger turkey that has become separated from its flock and is calling out to its mother and friends.
What does it mean when you see a single turkey?
Even without the sides and dressing, turkey symbolism is generally used to indicate prosperity and harvest. As such, the turkey encourages people to count their blessings and respect the nourishment offered by the earth.
Can a turkey live alone?
Turkeys are not solitary birds. Wild turkeys thrive in flocks, meandering through fields and forests. A group of male turkeys is called a posse. During the breeding season, a flock will contain male and female turkeys.
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.
Do wild turkeys move without their flock?
Wild turkeys rarely move without their flock. Being birds of a feather who, all the time, flock together, wild turkeys are social creatures. Wild turkeys perform most of their life activities together as a group. Moving and foraging together gives them a sense of security against possible predators around.
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.
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.
Why is my lone Turkey a mother hen?
Your lone turkey might be a mother hen mourning the loss. She might be hanging around from day till night at the same spot mourning the death of her babies but she won’t hang around for a week just to mourn. To sum up, courtship or nesting could be two main reasons why a wild turkey is by itself.
Why are there so few turkeys?
You can blame one of the biggest outbreaks of avian flu this year for the smaller supply of turkeys available. More than 47 million birds (including turkeys and chickens) died or were culled to help reduce the spread.