This Turkey Tuesday is about predictability – in this case predictability in the onset of nesting each year. Recently, southern parts of the wild turkey’s range have been blessed with warm days that have trees blooming and turkeys acting frisky. As turkey hunters, our minds wander to thoughts that perhaps the reproductive season will be early this year – but fear not, predictability in the timing of reproduction is important in the wild turkey world. The 2nd image shows the timing of nest incubation across 9 years on a study site – the stars are the peaks in incubation. Notice the peaks are never earlier than the 2nd week of April – if the peak shifts, it shifts later, not earlier. Also note that the sudden increase in nesting activity in early April is predictable within a few days every year. So, what drives this predictability? Increases in photoperiod (day length) stimulate hormone production that prompts breeding activity – and photoperiod is predictable. And predictability is important, because it ensures that poults are hatched when conditions are best. The take home is predictability in timing of reproduction is an important aspect of the wild turkey’s reproductive ecology.
Pic of turkeys by Monte Loomis.
