The coyote (Canis latrans) is a highly adaptable and opportunistic predator that has successfully expanded its range across North America. Known for its flexible diet, the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) falls within the coyote’s prey profile. This predator-prey relationship is a natural and well-documented interaction that forms a significant part of the ecological pressures influencing wild turkey populations.
Turkey Vulnerability Across Life Stages
The vulnerability of wild turkeys to coyote predation shifts dramatically throughout the bird’s annual reproductive cycle. Turkey eggs are the most defenseless target, as ground nests are immobile and contain a strong scent signature. A typical clutch contains 8 to 12 eggs, incubated for about 28 days, making them susceptible to discovery for a substantial period. Coyotes use their exceptional sense of smell and visual cues to locate these hidden nests.
The nesting hen also faces high risk, particularly during incubation and the early brood-rearing period when she is reluctant to leave the nest. Mortality rates for incubating hens can range from 20% to 40% during this vulnerable time. Once the eggs hatch, the precocial young, or poults, become the next target. Poults are flightless for their first two weeks of life, exposing them to terrestrial predators like the coyote.
Mortality rates for young poults frequently exceed 80% during the initial 14 days after hatching. Even after they gain the ability to fly short distances, the poults remain a relatively easy meal compared to a fully grown adult turkey. The hen’s distraction while tending to the brood further increases the vulnerability of the entire family unit.
Coyote Hunting Behaviors
Coyotes employ specific behavioral strategies that make them effective predators of turkeys, capitalizing on the birds’ weaknesses. They use their sense of smell to track scent trails left by nesting hens or to locate nests. Coyotes are predominantly nocturnal, aligning with the time when turkeys are roosting and less aware of terrestrial threats.
The coyote’s opportunistic nature means they will often investigate sounds that indicate a potential meal, such as the yelping of a hen or the gobbling of a tom. Hunters often report coyotes coming in to investigate turkey calls, confirming this opportunistic approach. When targeting an adult turkey, coyotes use thick cover to their advantage, executing an ambush to capture the bird before it can take flight.
Once a turkey is captured, coyotes typically dispatch their prey by grabbing the neck and crushing the skull or spine. While coyotes are capable of hunting alone, they are also known to scavenge. Therefore, some turkey remains found in their diet may not represent an actual kill.
Predation Impact on Turkey Populations
The interaction between coyotes and wild turkeys affects overall population dynamics. Due to their widespread presence and adaptability, coyotes exert consistent pressure on turkey populations. Studies indicate that an increase in coyote abundance can lead to a reduction in the population growth rate of wild turkeys.
The greatest population impact often occurs through nest predation and the subsequent loss of reproductive success. The loss of a single hen or an entire clutch of eggs limits the number of new birds entering the population, known as recruitment. This is particularly problematic in areas where coyote densities are high.
Coyotes are part of a group of generalist carnivores known as mesopredators, which also includes raccoons and opossums. Some wildlife managers suggest that other nest predators, like raccoons, may have an even greater local impact on egg survival. The coyote’s role as a permanent addition to the fauna means wildlife management agencies must account for their presence when setting hunting quotas for wild turkeys. The combined pressure from coyotes and other mesopredators can suppress population recovery in certain habitats.