The month of November is fascinating; it’s the time of year when fall begins to transition to winter, the holiday season kicks off, and people gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving. For the birding community, many birds are on our minds as fall migration starts to wind down. But there is one bird that everyone’s thinking of during November, even non-birders–turkeys!
While the reasons and the origins of having them for dinner have slipped into myth, the Wild Turkey is recognized as the symbol of Thanksgiving and November as a whole. Beyond appearances symbolizing Thanksgiving, how often have Wild Turkeys been seen around Chicagoland? It’s probably not a bird that comes to mind when thinking about Chicago’s avian wildlife. But the answer might be more surprising than you think.
A flock of nine Eastern Wild Turkeys, observed in Sand Ridge, South Holland, on October 15, 2024. Photo by Jeanette Louis.
You might think that turkeys are rare around this part of the country, but that’s actually not the case. As it turns out, turkeys are in Illinois all year round, albeit uncommon. In fact, it’s a subspecies of Wild Turkey, the Eastern Wild Turkey, that inhabits Illinois.
Native Americans encountered Wild Turkeys throughout North America as far back as 25 A.D., and turkeys used to be abundant in Illinois, according to accounts dating back to the early 1700s all the way through the late 1800s. Since then, turkeys suffered extensive habitat loss and overhunting that caused the species to decline steeply. By 1910, there were no more Wild Turkeys in Illinois, a situation that lasted for almost 50 years. To repair the damage, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources enacted a plan to reintroduce turkeys into the state. Thanks to the relocation of turkeys from Mississippi, Arkansas, and West Virginia between 1959 and 1967, the species successfully rebounded in Illinois. Starting from small groups released in the southern portion of the state, the turkeys had flourished enough for biologists to relocate over 4,700 individuals among 99 counties in the state of Illinois between 1970 and 2000.
Wild Turkey chick, staying right under the tail feathers of an adult. Photo by Jeanette Tasey.
This successful breeding program has allowed turkeys to be present in every Illinois county, particularly in the southern, western, and northwestern counties. Learning from the mistakes of the past, the Illinois Wildlife Code protects Eastern Wild Turkeys from being killed outside of hunting season or having their nests disrupted.
As the turkey population rebounded and continued to grow, so too did its overlap with an increasing human presence. Turkey sightings in the suburbs have been rising over the past 15 years. In fact, while turkey populations in Illinois and the surrounding states have been stable, they’ve been slowly gaining territory further north, going into upper Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and even past the U.S. border into Canada.
Turkeys moving up north have brought a mixture of questions and a potential cause for alarm. Some believe that the successful reintroduction has allowed the turkey population to grow so much that they might be reclaiming old territory that they once had before the habitat loss and overhunting. Plausible explanations for why turkeys are moving further north, and particularly into urban areas, have ranged from large yards with an abundance of trees, which can provide them with plenty of food and shelter, to a lack of natural predators like coyotes and raccoons, who steal their eggs.
One concern is that turkeys may not be regaining territory so much as claiming new territory. Some fear that the Wild Turkey might have become an introduced species in new, northern areas. Keep in mind that most of the turkey population has remained stable while losing territory in the south. However, they’ve gained a large amount of territory ranging to the north. While a healthy bird population is a positive thing that every birder and ornithologist wants, it begs the question: did the turkey breeding program work too well? Did Wild Turkeys populate so much that their expansion in territory is to compensate for their increasing population?
A flock of male, or tom, Wild Turkeys heading across a road displaying themselves. Photo by October Greenfield.
Whatever the case may be, Eastern Wild Turkeys aren’t going anywhere and can present a terrific opportunity for birders in Chicagoland. Getting the chance to see turkeys, a bird that isn't normally thought of as a staple animal of Illinois, would certainly be exciting. It should be noted that turkeys can be aggressive birds, and they have been known to attack people. Alarmingly, some of these encounters have been violent, ending in a turkey being relocated or, in some extreme cases, put down.
If there are turkeys in your area, there are some good tips to keep things safe for you and the birds. Keeping a safe and respectful distance, not deliberately feeding the turkeys, and ensuring they don’t have easy access to food (even from bird feeders) are all good rules of thumb. If a turkey does show aggressive behavior toward you, scaring it away by making loud noises, waving your arms around, and, as a last resort, spraying it with a garden hose can deter it from attacking. If you have any further concerns, contact an Illinois Department of Natural Resources professional. You must allow a licensed professional to deal with an aggressive turkey, as you should not attempt to capture one yourself.
The Eastern Wild Turkey is an iconic bird, and it’s exciting that they can be seen even here in Chicagoland. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, arrange for you and your family or friends to go birding during the holiday. You can find some amazing birds this time of year. One of those might be a turkey, and who knows? Seeing a live turkey with the people you love might just be more exciting than seeing it on your dining room table. All you need to do is remember to keep a safe distance.
Sources:
Wild Turkey - Audubon
Eastern Wild Turkey | Wildlife Illinois - Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Wild Turkey - Illinois.gov
Readers weigh in on the North’s Turkey Invasion - Northern Wilds, June 16, 2017
eBird Checklist - 15 Oct 2024 - Sand Ridge, South Holland - 10 species - eBird
Why Wild Turkeys Suddenly Seem to Be Everywhere - Better Homes & Gardens, March 9, 2024
Domestic vs. Wild Turkeys - The National Wild Turkey Federation, October 2, 2024
Why is the Turkey a Symbol of Thanksgiving? - Better Homes & Gardens, October 27, 2024
Header photo by Daniel Ellison of a Wild Turkey flock moving across a dirt road.