The wild turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo) holds a special place in American hearts. It is the very emblem of Thanksgiving, a very popular game bird and even the symbol of a popular spirit. Benjamin Franklin allegedly suggested it for the national bird, although that is now doubted. Unfortunately, the wild turkey population is shrinking and no one is quite sure why.
According to | Outdoor Life The birds were once super abundant but hunting and habitat loss nearly extincted them. Hunters and conservationists brought them back from the brink. Today, however, there seems to be broad agreement that there are fewer birds being taken by hunters and fewer poults (chicks) surviving. It is very difficult to count the birds. Alaska is the only state with none. Other states apparently have a half million or more. The birds are not under immediate threat.
Two factors seem important.
The wild turkey population has continued to lose habitat to deforestation, urban sprawl and other habitat changes.
Another factor is predation. Eggs and hatchlings are eaten by a great variety of ground and air predators from opossums to hawks, owls and eagles. Larger terrestrial predators including bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions and wolves prey on adult birds. All of these predators appear to be increasing in number as protection laws and reintroduction plans take effect.
For now experts suggest monitoring the wild turkey population to get a better handle on the status of the birds. Fortunately, turkeys are nowhere near extinction, unlike some Indian vultures