Despite their size, Wild Turkeys can fly, and usually spend the night perched high up in trees in an effort to stay safe from ground predators. During the day, turkeys are mainly found on the ground as they forage for foods like seeds, fruits, nuts and insects.
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Wild Turkey
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Large Increase
Confidence: Very High
Goal
Within Goal Range
Although native to southern Ontario and Quebec, the Wild Turkey was extirpated from Canada in the early 1900s. The species was re-introduced in the 1980s and now occupies an expanded breeding range that reaches eastern Ontario, southern Quebec, the Maritimes and the southernmost parts of the four western provinces. The Canadian population of Wild Turkey has shown a large increase relative to 1970. Confidence in this assessment is very high because the magnitude of increase is supported by both the Breeding Bird Survey and Christmas Bird Count. There are approximately 450,000 individuals in Canada, which is 6% of the global population and represents a low degree of responsibility for Canada. The national population of Wild Turkey is within its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Resident
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
450,000
Annual
450,000
Global
6,900,000
Related readings
Summary report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
View the report
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Wild Turkey. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/jtzh-my43
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Despite their size, Wild Turkeys can fly, and usually spend the night perched high up in trees in an effort to stay safe from ground predators. During the day, turkeys are mainly found on the ground as they forage for foods like seeds, fruits, nuts and insects.
Distribution and Occurrence
1290
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Related readings
Summary report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
View the report
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Wild Turkey. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/jtzh-my43