VernAK
WKR
I've been told that wild turkeys will destroy nests of other ground nest birds like pheasants and grouse.
Is there any validity to that ?
Is there any validity to that ?
Thanks for the link lots of good information. I took just a couple snipits from the article.Bullshit!
Gobble, Strut and Wattle: We’re Talking Turkey - The National Wildlife Federation Blog
Most everyone is at least a little familiar with the wild turkey. The bird’s signature gobble is easily recognizable, and many people know the story of Ben Franklin pushing for … Read moreblog.nwf.org
I don't believe they've seen them do any such thing. If that was the case, a hen would turn right around and eat the egg shells once her chicks were hatched. I find hatched out nests occasionally and not once has it look like a hen has done anything besides walk away. Any nests that I've found destroyed has clearly been done by 4 legged varmints that have eaten the contents of the eggs. A raven will gladly do it if the eggs are in the open.Another Possibility - here's the main point: "Gary presented an explanation that makes a lot of sense. If a hen grouse successfully hatches her brood, she leads them away from the nest. All that remains is an empty nest with empty egg shells. Birds seek the calcium in egg shells, and will gladly come to the nest to eat these shells—including turkeys. It is possible that these people saw a turkey cleaning up a nest after the hatching is complete, and in fact the birds are safe a good distance away."