Are turkeys common in California?

Turkeys are a fairly common sight throughout much of the United States, especially around Thanksgiving. But what about in California specifically? Are wild turkeys prevalent in the Golden State like they are in many other parts of the country? Let’s take a closer look.

Turkey Population and Habitat in California

There are six subspecies of wild turkey found throughout North America, and three of those are present in California:

• Rio Grande Wild Turkey – Mostly found in the northeastern part of the state
• Merriam’s Wild Turkey – Common in the coastal ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills
• Gould’s Wild Turkey – Mostly restricted to the arid woodlands of southern California

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the wild turkey population in California is estimated at around 250,000 birds statewide. Their numbers have rebounded impressively thanks to reintroduction efforts in the late 20th century.

Turkeys thrive in oak woodlands interspersed with openings like grasslands, pastures, and agricultural fields. This type of habitat provides the mixture of cover, roosting trees, and feeding areas that turkeys need. The foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the coastal ranges, and many inland valleys and canyons provide excellent turkey habitat.

Turkey Hunting in California

Wild turkeys are a popular game animal pursued by hunters in California. The spring turkey hunting season runs from late March through early May in most zones. There is also a shorter fall turkey season in some areas.

According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, over 35,000 turkey hunting tags and permits are issued annually in California. The top turkey hunting counties are typically Tehama, Glenn, Mendocino, and Yolo.

Turkey hunting is carefully regulated with bag and possession limits, shooting hours, and other rules. Only bearded turkeys (male birds) are legal to harvest during the spring season when mating is occurring.

Turkeys and Human Interactions

As wild turkey populations have rebounded, the birds have become accustomed to living near human settlements, farms, ranches, and rural residences. Turkeys will readily feed on grain scattered from livestock feed, acorns under oak trees, berries, seeds, and insects.

Sometimes turkeys can cause minor property damage or become aggressive during the breeding season in spring. Mostly they are considered charismatic wildlife and welcomed by communities where they reside. Turkeys will inhabit parks, golf courses, open spaces, and backyards.

Turkeys in California Cities and Towns

Here are some notes on turkey populations and interactions in a few California cities and towns:

Sacramento:

• Large flocks of 100+ birds commonly seen
• Drawn to neighborhoods near American River Parkway
• Occasionally raid gardens/landscaping

Oakland:

• Flocks in wooded parks like Joaquin Miller Park
• Also seen in hills near Montclair district
• Car collisions sometimes a problem

San Francisco:

• Smaller flocks seen in Golden Gate Park
• Turkeys near Stow Lake sometimes fed by park visitors

Los Angeles:

• Turkeys spotted in neighbourhoods near the Simi Hills
• Also present around the Verdugo Mountains
• Coyotes help keep turkey numbers controlled

Unique Aspects of Turkey Behavior

Wild turkeys exhibit some interesting behaviors not seen in domesticated varieties:

• Males “strut” during courtship displays, puffing out feathers and dragging wings
• Groups rest together in trees at night, sometimes 100+ feet up
• Hens “purr” softly to call their young poults
• Young turkeys will “peent” with a high-pitched call when lost
• Male turkeys display by fanning out and vibrating tail feathers

These behaviors show the differences between the hurried, short-lived lives of domestic turkeys and their wild cousins.

Decline and Recovery of Turkey Populations

Wild turkeys nearly disappeared from California in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unregulated hunting and habitat loss caused numbers to dwindle to only a few thousand birds statewide.

Conservation efforts began bringing them back in the 1950s and 60s. Wild turkeys were live-trapped in healthy populations elsewhere and carefully reintroduced. Numbers steadily rebounded as habitat improved and hunting was better regulated.

Today, their resilience is considered a major conservation success story. The wild turkey represents smart wildlife management and sustainable hunting practices.

Adaptability of Wild Turkeys

A major reason wild turkeys have thrived again in California is their adaptability. As habitat changed, turkeys showed an ability to live quite well in close proximity to humans.

Turkeys found ample food and cover on farms, in suburbs, and city parks. They had to learn to avoid cars and other hazards, but seem to coexist reasonably well with human activity.

This adaptability gives hope that with continued management, wild turkeys will continue to provide opportunities to see and hunt this iconic American bird.

Economic Importance of Turkey Hunting

Wild turkeys are an economically significant game animal as well as ecologically important. Turkey hunting provides revenue from license and tag sales each spring.

Local communities also benefit from hunter expenditures on gas, food, lodging, and equipment. Some rural towns even hold festivals devoted to the spring turkey season.

Ensuring healthy turkey populations provides recreation for thousands of hunters, supports jobs, and signifies responsible stewardship of natural resources. There are also opportunities for nature tourism like guided spring turkey viewing trips.

Risks Facing Wild Turkey Populations

Although turkey numbers are robust today, risks remain that could potentially cause populations to decline again:

• Habitat loss from development, mining, logging, or severe wildfires
• Poaching and overhunting beyond legal limits
• Harsh weather events like drought, snowstorms, or heat waves
• Disease outbreaks such as avian influenza

Careful monitoring and adaptive wildlife management practices are needed to counter any future threats.

Nuisance Turkeys

While most interactions between turkeys and people are harmless, the large birds can cause problems in some cases. Turkeys may attack shiny car surfaces, thinking it’s another bird. They can also scratch up lawns or flower beds in search of insects and seeds.

Aggressive toms during the spring mating season sometimes spur complaints as well. But overall, turkeys do not pose a major nuisance animal problem if left alone. Purposely feeding turkeys is illegal in California and causes unnatural behavior.

Turkey Habits Through the Year

Wild turkeys follow predictable patterns through the seasons each year:

Spring

• Mating season from March – May
• Male toms court females and defend territory
• Peak gobbling and strutting displays
• Nests with 8-15 eggs laid by hens
• Poults (chicks) hatch late April – early June

Summer

• Broods forage together on insects and berries
• Poults grow quickly and gain independence
• Flocks congregate and range more widely
• Adults undergo a summer molt of feathers

Fall

• Juveniles approaching adult size
• Turkey calls and decoys used to hunt hens or jakes
• Groups feed heavily to store energy for winter
• Shift to wooded areas with mast crops

Winter

• Mixed flocks up to 100+ birds form
• Seek shelter in dense oak woodlands
• Forage on acorns, seeds, conifer buds, berries
• Range is reduced to preserve energy

Conclusion

In conclusion, wild turkeys have made an impressive comeback in California and can be considered a fairly common resident statewide. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive again with careful management and habitat protection. While turkeys occasionally create minor problems, overall they provide aesthetic, recreational, and economic benefits appreciated by many Californians. With continued sustainable stewardship, these unique birds will likely remain a prominent part of the landscape for generations to come.