When I was a kid, we didn’t use Google to find the answer to the question, “What do turkeys eat?” We would take a stroll through the woods, where there was no internet whatsoever, and look for turkeys by observing scratchings and trailing cows while we waited for them to poop. Real cow poop, you see, with all those corn kernels and unseen seeds inside, makes for excellent gobbler grub. You get that tip for free.
In addition, I will provide you with the quick response to the question, “What do turkeys eat?” right away. An omnivore, turkeys consume a wide variety of foods, but their favorites are insects, mild greens, acorns, berries, corn, soybeans, sorghum, milo, sunflowers, chufa, and other seeds and grains.
You’re in luck there too if you want the lengthy explanation, which includes how understanding what turkeys eat can improve your hunting skills. My editors will occasionally approach me and ask that I respond to a question because they know that people are looking for the answer. I figure I have a limited window of opportunity to capitalize on this before publishers discover that artificial intelligence can do it for less money. Therefore, I’m going to give you a traditional lesson on what wild turkeys will eat, gleaned from my experiences of having hunted them for the past 28 springs in nine different states, interviewing biologists, and managing wildlife habitat. And apparently, a whole lot of people are typing in, “what do turkeys eat?”
Gobblers gotta eat! Every hunter should understand what kinds of food sources wild turkeys prefer at certain times of the year This knowledge is crucial not only for scouting purposes but also for managing turkey populations and creating a haven for these magnificent birds in your backyard,
In this comprehensive guide. we’ll delve deep into the fascinating world of wild turkey cuisine exploring:
- The diverse diet of wild turkeys: From acorns and berries to insects and small animals, we’ll uncover the wide range of food sources that fuel these feathered friends.
- Seasonal variations in turkey eating habits: We’ll explore how the changing seasons influence what wild turkeys eat, from the high-energy acorns of fall to the succulent insects of summer.
- Tips for attracting wild turkeys to your garden: Learn how to transform your backyard into a turkey buffet by planting native plants and providing other essential resources.
- The importance of understanding turkey food sources for hunters: We’ll discuss how knowledge of turkey diet can help you pinpoint prime hunting locations and increase your chances of success.
So, grab your binoculars and let’s embark on a journey into the fascinating world of wild turkey gastronomy!
The Diverse Diet of Wild Turkeys: Omnivores on the Move
Wild turkeys are true omnivores meaning they’ll gobble up just about anything they can find. This includes a smorgasbord of:
- Grasses and seeds: These provide essential carbohydrates for energy.
- Invertebrates: From grubs and beetles to snails and caterpillars, these protein-packed snacks are crucial for turkey health.
- Forbs: These flowering plants offer a variety of nutrients and vitamins.
- Nuts and fruits: Acorns, beechnuts, berries, and other fruits provide high-energy fuel, especially during the colder months.
- Small animals: Occasionally, turkeys will supplement their diet with lizards, frogs, and even small mammals.
In agricultural areas, wild turkeys will also happily munch on waste grain, chaff, and other agricultural leftovers.
While plants make up the majority of a wild turkey’s annual diet, invertebrates, especially grubs and insects, are critical sources of protein for the birds. Turkeys forage for these food sources throughout the day by scratching and pecking at the ground. The food is stored in the bird’s crop (an enlarged chamber in the esophagus) before it is swallowed and digested.
A turkey’s diet can vary significantly depending on its location and the time of year. Let’s dive deeper into these regional and seasonal variations.
Regional Variations in Turkey Eating Habits: A Culinary Tour Across America
The five subspecies of wild turkeys in North America each have their own unique culinary preferences, shaped by the diverse landscapes they inhabit.
Eastern Turkeys: These hefty birds, found east of the Mississippi River, are particularly fond of hard mast, such as acorns and beechnuts. They also enjoy seeds from native grasses and the flowers of herbaceous plants. In agricultural areas, they’ll readily consume waste grains like soybeans, corn, and wheat.
Rio Grande Turkeys: These southwestern dwellers rely heavily on oaks, pecans, and other mast trees, along with insects and various grasses. They also incorporate succulent plants like prickly pears into their diet to stay hydrated in arid environments.
Merriam’s Turkeys: These mountain and high plains residents enjoy a diverse diet, including ponderosa pine seeds, bearberries, green grasses, and a variety of insects, especially grasshoppers. In cattle country, they’ll also graze on alfalfa and barley.
Osceola Turkeys: Exclusive to Florida, these colorful turkeys adapt their diet to their surroundings. Swamp-dwelling birds focus on frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians, while dryland birds favor grubs, acorns, berries, and wild grapes.
Gould’s Turkeys: The rarest of the five subspecies, Gould’s turkeys inhabit the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico. Their diet mirrors that of Rio Grande turkeys, with piñon nuts and berries from juniper trees playing a significant role.
Seasonal Variations in Turkey Eating Habits: A Year-Round Culinary Calendar
Just like humans, wild turkeys adjust their eating habits throughout the year based on the availability and nutritional value of different food sources.
Fall and Winter: During these colder months, turkeys focus on high-energy, high-protein foods like acorns and other hard mast. Timber stands near agricultural fields or feedlots become prime foraging grounds.
Spring: As the weather warms and breeding season approaches, turkeys shift their focus to fresh green vegetation, grasses, and other succulent plants. Insects also play a more prominent role in their diet during this time.
Summer: This season offers a bounty of edible plants, from blackberries to fresh buds and flower bulbs. Insect populations peak, providing essential protein for growing poults and molting adults.
Understanding these seasonal variations can help you predict where to find turkeys throughout the year.
Tips for Attracting Wild Turkeys to Your Garden: Creating a Backyard Buffet
Want to turn your backyard into a turkey haven? Here are some tips:
- Plant native trees and shrubs that produce nuts, berries, and fruits. Oaks, hickories, crabapples, and dogwoods are all excellent choices.
- Create a diverse landscape with a mix of open areas and dense cover. This provides turkeys with both foraging grounds and safe havens.
- Provide a water source, such as a pond or birdbath. Turkeys need to stay hydrated, especially during the summer months.
- Avoid using pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals can harm both turkeys and their food sources.
- Leave some fallen leaves in your yard. These provide habitat for the small animals that are a key part of a turkey’s diet.
By following these tips, you can create a welcoming environment that will attract wild turkeys to your backyard.
The Importance of Understanding Turkey Food Sources for Hunters: Scouting for Success
For turkey hunters, understanding food sources is crucial for scouting purposes. By knowing what turkeys eat and where they find it, you can increase your chances of success.
Here are some key points to remember:
- In the spring, focus on areas with fresh green vegetation and showy wildflowers. These attract insects, which turkeys love to eat.
- During the fall and winter, look for areas with abundant hard mast, such as acorns and beechnuts.
- Pay attention to the edges of hardwood forests, where turkeys can find both food and cover.
- Consider planting a turkey-specific food plot with native plants and grains.
By understanding turkey food sources, you can become a more effective hunter and enjoy the thrill of the chase.
Wild turkeys are fascinating creatures with a diverse and adaptable diet. By understanding what they eat and how their eating habits change throughout the year, we can better manage turkey populations, create welcoming backyard habitats, and improve our chances of success in the field.
So, the next time you see a wild turkey, take a moment to appreciate its unique culinary preferences and the important role it plays in our ecosystems.
Turkeys Eat Bugs
Although they will consume insects at any time of year, turkeys especially seek them out in the late spring and early summer. Hens require the protein found in grasshoppers, beetles, grubs, and the like to produce eggs. Poults feed almost exclusively on insects after hatching and for the first several weeks of life. Given this, fairly open areas such as hayfields, food plots, and very early successional habitat make up the ideal brood habitat, as long as there is good escape cover close by.
But turkeys don’t just “bug” in the spring. You’re likely to see them chasing invertebrates anytime the weather allows. Everywhere there’s early greenery in the early spring hunting season, it’s a good idea to scout for turkeys. The first areas to warm up and turn green are sunny creek bottoms and south-facing slopes; these are also the places where the first insects will be found. And you can bet turkeys will be nearby.
A hen turkey leads her poults into a greenfield to look for insects to eat.
Apart from the insects that can be discovered on a slope facing south in the early spring, turkeys also enjoy nibbling on the greens themselves. They feed on legumes like alfalfa and clover, which again increases the appeal of many hayfields and food plots. They also provide insects. When it comes to food plots, nothing is more visually appealing than the newly sprouted cereal grains’ shoots, such as those of wheat and oats. In the wild, turkeys pick and pluck at many of the same forbs preferred by whitetails. Again, a great way to find birds in the early spring is to simply locate areas that are greening up with tender shoots, such as an agricultural field, a food plot, or naturally growing forbs.
What Do Turkeys Eat? Just About Anything
Because they are omnivores and can live almost anywhere (wild turkeys can be found in all states except Alaska, as well as in Mexico, Central America, and southern Canada), their diets are extremely diverse and vary depending on the season and climate. All wild turkeys, however, have a few staple foods that they will typically target no matter where they reside (including Staten Island). Additionally, hunters who are aware of these favorites—whether through Googling “what do turkeys eat” or not—will have an advantage when it comes to locating game to hunt. Therefore, turkey hunters should be aware of these four essential foods that turkeys consume.
What Do Wild Turkeys Eat? Feeding Habits And Cool Diet Facts
What do turkeys eat?
Some of the insects they eat include grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars. They also eat seeds from grasses and wildflowers. In the summer, wild turkeys continue to eat insects and seeds, but they also eat more fruits and berries. Some of the fruits they eat include blackberries, blueberries, and wild grapes.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
Do wild turkeys eat crops?
Certainly, wild turkeys consume crops. Wild turkeys are omnivorous animals that eat various foods, including seeds, grains, fruits, invertebrates, seeds, and green plant matter. Although soybeans are not a favorite meal, they may also consume them. Turkeys may sometimes harm crops in farms and gardens.
Do wild turkeys eat insects?
Wild turkeys do consume insects. Wild turkeys eat a lot of insects. They scrape and peck all day for grasshoppers, beetles, snails, caterpillars, and ticks. Do wild turkeys eat meat?