Wild turkeys are gorgeous birds that are discovered throughout the Southeast in forests, fields, orchards, and even in your yard. “Although they’re not an issue for many homeowners, the birds can often be an annoyance,” says Sheldon Owen, PhD, wildlife extension expert at West Virginia University.
While turkeys prefer landscapes that have to do with half forested for cover and food, and half open for breeding, nesting, and raising children, they aren’t choosy. “They’ll go any place the food abounds,” states Robert Pierce, PhD, associate professor and state extension fisheries and wildlife specialist at the University of Missouri. “If turkeys become habituated to individuals, they will feel comfy and might roam through your yard and garden.”
Sheldon Owen, PhD, is a wildlife extension expert at West Virginia University.
Robert Pierce, PhD, is an associate professor and state extension fisheries and wildlife specialist at the University of Missouri.
Luckily, turkeys don’t transfer illness that affect individuals or pets, though they can bring parasites such as termites and ticks. A flock that invests time in your yard will leave behind droppings (though it’s normally not as bad as geese, which gather in larger numbers). Often, males might become aggressive towards individuals. But the most significant concern is that you may not want turkeys scratching garden beds or mulched and landscaped areas, states Owen.
Understanding Wild Turkeys
Turkeys prefer to stroll or run, though they can make short flights. Their numbers are declining in some areas, and it’s not known precisely why, states Pierce.
Turkeys hatch in late spring and early summer. They’re ground nesters, so death is high because the eggs may be eaten by skunks, raccoons, and opossums, while young turkeys are at threat from coyotes, foxes, hawks and owls, says Pierce.
In late summer and fall, turkeys flock together. Winter flocks are the largest, typically with 20 or 30 turkeys in a group. Their range can be a couple of square miles, based upon the schedule of food, so they might come through your backyard once a day or every now and then depending on how far they need to forage, states Owen.
Interestingly, research study has found that the damage most people think is caused by turkeys often is the work of other wildlife, such as raccoons, deer, voles, or other bird types, says Pierce.
How To Keep Wild Turkeys Away From Your Yard
Turkey generally aren’t a big problem for property owners, but if you have some regular or harmful visitors, you can attempt these tips:
Get a favorable ID. If damage is happening overnight, it’s not brought on by turkeys, which like to roost in trees to stay out of threat from nighttime predators. Set up a game cam to determine what’s doing the damage, says Owen.
Eliminate birdfeeders. Turkeys are opportunistic feeders and will return if the consuming is good, says Pierce.
Attempt scare tactics. Use techniques such as silver mylar tape, which will flutter in the breeze when hung from fence posts. Or attempt inflatable scarecrows, which move sporadically to frighten the birds, states Owen.
Clean up brush piles. This may reduce insects that are drawing in turkeys, states Pierce.
Fence or utilize netting around garden areas. Turkeys can fly, they require a running start and usually aren’t going to go into a small fenced location, states Owen.
Do not depend on repellants, predator silhouettes, or other folk treatments. Like all wild animals, as soon as they find out there’s nothing to fear, they’ll overlook it, says Owen.
Be client. They likely aren’t going to remain year-round because they forage on whatever is abundant and in your area offered by season. “Although they do trigger damage, the degree is typically really little compared to other types,” states Pierce.
