It’s not every day we encounter a wild turkey in the woods, but when we do, these massive, bizarre looking birds are worth sharing! Featherless red and blue heads, huge spikes on the back of the males’ legs, and body parts called beards, waddles and snoods are among their most notable physical features. But just how rare are these avian oddities? The answer may depend on how far back we’re willing to look.
Historically, wild turkeys were abundant, with populations around 10 million before European colonization — far from rare. But by the early 1900s, only two percent remained. This substantial loss of wildlife was largely due to unregulated hunting and destruction of their habitat.
This species does, however, have a happy ending. After successful restoration efforts, Ohio has almost 200,000 birds, which is nearly the same amount once held by the entire continent. We can continue to aid their populations by planting oak trees. A favorite food of the wild turkey, any kind of acorn is a good acorn! As for their rarity, you can decide. But to have the chance to encounter a bird that should have never needed a comeback in the first place is a pretty special experience.
For more stories like this, check out Green Islands magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. Summit County residents can sign up to receive the publication at home free of charge.