Turkey habitat use and nesting characteristics in ponderosa pine

Abstract

Turkeys (Meleagris gallapovo) selected nest sites that provided good horizontal concealment. Rock or rock outcrops were selected most frequently for nest concealment on first-nest attempts. Renest attempts showed a selection preference for shrubs as nest cover; most of these were located in meadows. Nesting success doubled for renests versus first nest attempts. Turkeys selected habitats (as described here by USDA Forest Service, Wildlife Habitat Relationships (WHR) criteria and site summaries from stage II inventories) in a nearly random pattern. Adult turkeys selected pole-size-class pine (Pinus ponderosa) greater than 40 percent canopy cover (pine 3B and 3C) 60 percent of the time year round. Broods up to age four weeks selected the edges of large meadows. Aspen (Populus tremuloides)/birch (Betula papyrifera) habitats were used during periods when soft mast items were available.

Citation

Rumble, Mark A.; Anderson, Stanley H. 1987. Turkey habitat use and nesting characteristics in ponderosa pine. In: Fisser, H. G., ed. Wyoming shrublands: proceedings of the sixteenth Wyoming shrub ecology workshop, Sundance, Wyoming, May 26 & 27, 1987. Laramie, WY: The Workshop, Dept. of Range Management: 36-39