Where Do Wild Turkeys Live? (Habitat + Distribution)

Many people associate turkey with Thanksgiving dinner, but these stately American game birds still exist in the wild across much of North America.

Wild turkey populations have declined dramatically due to habitat loss and hunting, but today they are considered a true conservation success story thanks to the efforts of dedicated scientists, officials, and ordinary citizens.

Six subspecies of wild turkey are found in southern Canada, throughout the United States and most of Mexico. They are usually found in forest and woodland habitats, although they can be found in a variety of environments within their range, including riverine and swampy areas, and even suburban suburbs.

Wild turkeys have been a part of human life for thousands of years, and today they are commercially farmed and even kept as pets around the world!

Read on to learn more about wild turkey distribution and habitat.

Wild turkeys typically live in woodland habitats

What is the range of the wild turkey?

The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is native to North America and is endemic to North America. They occur in countries such as Canada, the United States, and Mexico. They have also been introduced around the world, including New Zealand and Hawaii.

Wild turkeys are common in the United States, except in parts of the North, West, and Pacific Northwest. They are also rarely found in southern Canada and much of northern and central Mexico.

Male wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) eating in a field in Wisconsin in the fall

How many species of wild turkey are there in the United States?

There are two types of turkey oregano belongs to. These are wild turkeys (M. gallopavo) of North America and the eyed turkey (M. ocellata) Southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. There are six different subspecies of wild turkey, five of which are native to the United States.

Read on to learn where these five subspecies occur naturally.

M. gallopavo silvestris

The eastern wild turkey is widely distributed across the United States, from New England and southeastern Canada down south to northern Florida and eastern Texas.

Mg Osceola

The Florida wild turkey has a limited range, occurring only in the Florida peninsula.

Mg intermediate

The Rio Grande wild turkey ranges from southern Oklahoma through Texas into Mexico.

Mg Merriam

Merriam’s wild turkeys inhabit the Rocky Mountain region from Colorado to Arizona and West Texas.

Mg Mexico

The Gould’s wild turkey is a large subspecies that came into the United States only in Arizona and New Mexico.

Male wild turkey on full display

What is the wild turkey’s habitat?

Wild turkeys are primarily birds of forest and woodland habitats, although they occur in more open habitats in the semi-arid Southwest.

The density and tree species composition of their habitat will vary geographically, but they will utilize timber plantations as well as pasture and agricultural clearings. Wooded habitat along waterways and around swamps is also important in the southern part of its range.

How rare is it to see a wild turkey?

Wild turkeys were once rare, but are becoming more common. The impact of human development and the resulting loss of habitat, as well as direct losses from hunting, drastically reduced wild turkey populations in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Wild turkey populations have recovered thanks to intensive conservation efforts and reintroduction programs. Today, the species is considered “least concern” according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

Wild turkey in its natural habitat in the woodland

Where Do America’s Wild Turkeys Live?

Wild turkeys are so common in the United States that they can now be found in every state in the lower 48 states. They were even introduced to Hawaii, but not in Alaska. However, some areas of the contiguous United States are not suitable for this species.

Most of the following Midwestern states are free of wild turkey:

• Idaho
• Montana
• california
• Nevada
• Arizona
• Oregon
• washington

The southernmost parts of the Gulf Coast, Texas and Louisiana, and the northernmost parts of Michigan and Minnesota are also free of wild turkeys.

Where do wild turkeys live in Canada?

Wild turkeys are not widespread in Canada and are only found in the southernmost tip of the country.

They are most common in Ontario, where they can be found across a large area in the southeastern part of the province. Wild turkeys can also be found in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec.

a flock of wild turkeys

Where are wild turkeys most common?

Wild turkeys are most common in the central and eastern United States. They peaked in Alabama, Texas, Missouri, Kansas and Wisconsin.

Where’s the best place to see wild turkeys?

Wild turkeys can be found in suitable habitat throughout most of the contiguous United States. They’re even becoming more common near the suburbs, so you might not have to travel far to see these magnificent American ground birds at all.

The following wildlife refuges are known to support wild turkey populations.

• Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, Alabama
• St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
• Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia
• Crab Park National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois
• Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Massachusetts
• Sherborne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota
• Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
• Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, New York
• Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina
• Hegman National Wildlife Refuge, Texas

A pair of wild turkeys, Utah

Where do wild turkeys live in winter?

Wild turkeys do not migrate, but they do carry out local seasonal activity in certain areas. They usually form large flocks of 200 or more in winter. Females are less territorial than males, and they move in groups for greater distances.

Turkeys can survive cold winters by foraging for masts (nuts and fruits from forest trees), although this can be difficult when food resources are covered in snow.

South-facing slopes often have thinner snowpacks because they are exposed to more direct sunlight and can provide easier foraging grounds.

Wild turkeys use trees that are closer to water and have more canopy cover, which provides better protection from cold winds during the winter.

A male wild turkey shows off to a female in winter

Where do wild turkeys live in summer?

Wild turkeys don’t migrate, but they do use slightly different habitats at different times of the year. Large flocks (also known as rafters) that form in winter dissolve into smaller flocks in summer.

This time of year, birds take advantage of more open habitats, such as clearings and pastures, to take advantage of the insects and grasses they eat. Wild turkeys are also not too picky about the types of trees they sleep in during the summer.

How many wild turkeys are there?

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wild turkey populations may have dropped to around 200,000 in the early 1900s. Their number in the United States increased to approximately 1.25 million by 1970, and their recovery has accelerated since then, leading to a dramatic increase in 2009 to an estimated 6.5-6.7 million.

a flock of wild turkeys

Where do wild turkeys go at night?

Wild turkeys may forage on the ground during the day, but they spend the night high up in trees for safety. They prefer to perch in trees near water, especially in winter.

Wild turkeys utilize a variety of different tree species, but usually choose trees with larger side branches so they can sleep comfortably. These birds usually roost in flocks, and they fly to their roosts at sunset, only to land at dawn the next morning.

Where Do Wild Turkeys Nest?

Wild turkeys nest on the ground. They usually nest under trees, under thick bushes, bushes or grass. They don’t build nests, they just dig a shallow depression in the ground. Young turkeys (small turkeys) are well developed when they hatch and can leave the nest within one to three days.