Osceola Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo osceola
The Osceola Wild Turkey occurs naturally only in peninsular Florida.
The Osceola Wild Turkey occurs naturally only in peninsular Florida. Do not feed or corner turkeys. Give displaying males room and keep pets controlled. A regulated game species. Hunting requires proper licenses and compliance with current seasons and rules.
Habitat:
Pine Flatwoods and Sandhills, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
Central Florida, South Florida
Diet:
Acorns, seeds, berries, insects, small reptiles, and tender plants.
Behavior:
Roosts in trees at night and forages on the ground by day. Males gobble and display in spring.
Day, Dawn, Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Observe from a respectful distance in suitable Florida habitat.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Managed game species
Safety Level:
Keep Distance. Do Not Feed
Safety Information:
Do not feed or corner turkeys. Give displaying males room and keep pets controlled.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes insects and spreads seeds across forest and grassland habitats.
Property Concerns:
Feeding causes bold behavior, congregation, droppings, and landscape disturbance.
Fun Fact:
The Osceola Wild Turkey occurs naturally only in peninsular Florida.
Wildlife Laws:
A regulated game species. Hunting requires proper licenses and compliance with current seasons and rules.
Identification:
Large dark ground bird. Males have iridescent feathers, a colorful head, beard, and fanned tail.
Credits:
Facts: wildlife reference. Images: Wikimedia Commons.