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This time of year, turkeys are top of mind for many — and not just because they will be eating leftover turkey sandwiches for the next week. Wild turkeys can be spotted in flocks throughout the Peninsula.
But did you know that the birds are not native to California? Scientists say the current turkeys that inhabit the local land have roots in Mexico and Texas but the history is complex.
Over 10,000 years ago, California had its own native species of wild turkeys but due to overhunting, it likely went extinct, explained Marianne Rogers, a Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District ranger. It wasn’t until people showed interest in reintroducing the turkey to North America that the bird returned to areas such as the Peninsula.
Between 1877 and 1928, initial introductions in California utilizing turkeys from Mexico were largely unsuccessful in establishing sustaining populations, said Matt Meshriy, an environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, in 1928, the department began breeding a large number of the “California hybrid” turkey, a mix between Mexican-sourced turkeys and wild Arizona turkeys, he added.
“About 3,350 of these hybrids were released from the game farm to 23 counties through the state between 1928 and 1952, which established some of the first successful populations of turkeys in California, in San Luis Obispo, Sonoma and Santa Clara counties,” said Meshriy.
From 1959 through 1999, the CDFW continued with its reintroduction efforts by trapping wild Rio Grande turkeys from Texas and re-releasing them in California. The survival and reproduction of these turkeys were much more successful than previous attempts, “meaning that the turkeys in the Peninsula today are a mix of various subspecies of wild turkey,” said Meshriy.
“The (Texas) turkeys did really well and almost thrived beyond what they had done from their source population in Texas because California has relatively mild winters and temperatures, the turkeys have just expanded,” said Rogers.
She added that wildlife reintroduction efforts have been done for various species but not many have been as successful as this one. Because the birds are omnivorous, they’re able to adapt to different food sources, feeding on acorns, insects, berries and other plants throughout the region.
Now, there are about 250,000 turkeys in California, said Rogers. While they commonly inhabit oak woodland habitats. The plump birds are also thriving in open spaces, parks and suburban neighborhoods.
Seeing a wild turkey or any wild animal up close may prompt the human urge to feed them, but Rogers cautions people from doing so. Across all 10 Midpen preserves, feeding wildlife is not allowed.
“Feeding turkeys has shown an increase in comfort around people, which can actually be detrimental to them and they can become more aggressive and pushy for food,” she said.
During the breeding season in late February through early April, male turkeys specifically can get increasingly aggressive as their body produces more testosterone for mating.
Rogers shared that some Midpen field staff will cover their cars with a sheet during the spring to protect their vehicles from being attacked when a turkey mistakes its reflection for another turkey and attacks itself.
The wild turkeys that are widespread across the Peninsula can be enjoyed from a distance. As the birds have become a centerpiece dish for Thanksgiving feasts, Rogers reminds the community that hunting and harvesting of turkeys are not allowed on all Midpen land.
Midpen staff shared that turkeys can frequently be spotted at the La Honda Creek, Rancho San Antonio, Monte Bello and Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. This reporter has also seen many turkeys in Woodside, Portola Valley and on the Filoli estate.
