Wild turkey

Wild turkey photographed in Manitoba

A wild turkey is a very different bird from its farmyard cousin. It is lean and athletic, with dark bronze and copper feathers, a bare blue-grey head, and strong legs. It can run fast, fly short distances, and roost high in trees at night.

In spring, the males puff up, fan their tails, and gobble to attract mates. Wild turkeys feed on acorns, seeds, berries, and insects, foraging in groups across fields and woodlands. They were reintroduced in parts of southern Manitoba, and today they can be seen in the south of the province. Flocks stay together through the winter.

The iridescent bronze feathers and the bare, brightly coloured head of a wild turkey make it odd and handsome at the same time.

Want to learn more about the wild turkey and where it lives? Visit its page at All About Birds.

Field notes in photographs

  • Wild turkey, Manitoba
  • Group of wild turkeys walking along a gravel path beside a lawn on a foggy morning, Manitoba
  • Close portrait of a wild turkey showing its blue-toned head and barred feathers, Manitoba

Wild turkey Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the wild turkey in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Map of Manitoba showing where the wild turkey lives year-round, with major cities and lakes
Where to look for the wild turkey in Manitoba through the seasons: living year-round in the Prairies (teal). Habitat regions: National Ecological Framework for Canada. Boundaries: Statistics Canada. Lakes: Natural Earth.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.

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