Wild turkeys are a common sight in many backyards, often wandering through suburban areas in search of food. For homeowners who maintain bird feeders, a frequent question arises: do wild turkeys eat sunflower seeds? The simple answer is yes, they readily consume them when available. This article explores the role of seeds in a turkey’s diet, their preferred type of sunflower seed, and how to manage backyard feeding stations.
Turkeys as Opportunistic Seed Eaters
Wild turkeys are opportunistic omnivores, consuming a wide variety of plant and animal matter depending on what is accessible. Their natural diet is diverse, including insects, plant materials such as grasses and fern fronds, and various nuts and berries. Seeds constitute an important component of this foraging strategy, particularly in late fall and winter when other food sources become scarce.
The turkey’s digestive system is well-equipped to process hard-shelled foods found on the forest floor. Seeds provide a dense source of energy, protein, and fat that helps sustain them through colder months. Turkeys naturally seek out seeds from native plants, but they quickly take advantage of high-calorie seeds spilled from backyard bird feeders. This adaptability allows them to thrive in diverse environments, from deep forests to residential neighborhoods.
Seed Preference and Consumption Methods
Turkeys show a distinct preference for the variety known as Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOS). These seeds are typically smaller than striped sunflower seeds and have a much thinner shell, making them easier to consume quickly.
Turkeys do not possess the specialized bills necessary to shell seeds like smaller songbirds. Instead, they consume the seeds whole, shell and all, in large quantities directly from the ground. The hard work of breaking down the tough outer shell is accomplished in the gizzard. This muscular organ uses small stones and grit, which the turkey intentionally swallows, to grind the seeds into digestible pieces.
Managing Turkeys at Feeding Stations
A flock of foraging turkeys can quickly deplete a bird feeder and make a considerable mess due to their size and ground-feeding behavior. Because they are large, heavy birds, they often knock over conventional hanging feeders, spilling the contents onto the ground. This spillage not only feeds the turkeys but can also attract other unwanted wildlife.
To minimize turkey interactions, one effective strategy is to clean up spilled seed daily, removing the primary food source that attracts them. Another solution is to use specialized equipment, such as weight-activated bird feeders that close under the weight of a turkey. Alternatively, using feeder cages with openings small enough for songbirds but too restrictive for a turkey can help ensure the seeds are reserved for smaller species.