Wild turkeys are an important part of many North American ecosystems. Their subtle, well-hidden ground nests are central to their reproductive cycle. Understanding these nests offers insight into the behaviors and adaptations that allow wild turkeys to thrive.
Nest Construction and Appearance
A wild turkey nest is a simple, shallow depression created by the hen on the ground. She forms this scrape by scratching and squatting, shaping the earth to her body. This ground nest typically measures 8 to 11 inches wide, 9 to 13 inches long, and about 1 inch deep.
The hen lines the nest with readily available natural materials like dead leaves, grasses, and small twigs from the immediate surroundings. These materials are incorporated as found, not actively gathered from a distance. This minimalist construction helps camouflage the nest, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the forest floor or field vegetation.
Choosing a Nest Site
Wild turkeys carefully select their nesting sites, prioritizing concealment and protection from predators. Hens typically build nests in areas with dense cover, such as under fallen logs, within thick brush piles, or amidst dense shrubs. These locations provide both lateral and overhead coverage, making the nest difficult for predators to spot.
Preferred sites are often found at the base of trees in open woodlands, along forest edges, or in overgrown fields and utility rights-of-way. While some nests may be in more open areas like tall grass fields, the common factor is vegetation that provides significant visual cover. The chosen location allows the hen to remain hidden while also detecting approaching threats.
Wild Turkey Eggs
Within these well-hidden nests, wild turkey hens lay a clutch of eggs, typically ranging from 4 to 17, with 9 to 13 being common. The hen lays one egg approximately every 24 to 32 hours until the entire clutch is complete. She does not begin continuous incubation until all eggs are laid, which helps ensure they hatch at roughly the same time.
The eggs are generally larger than chicken eggs. Their coloration varies, commonly appearing as pale yellowish tan, cream, or light brown. These base colors are often marked with darker brown, reddish-brown, or pinkish spots and speckles. Wild turkey eggs typically measure 2 to 2.7 inches in length and 1.6 to 1.9 inches in width.