Wild turkeys sleep or rest in large trees during the evening hours, where they remain largely unseen by predators. Wild turkeys are omnivorous, surviving on a diet of seeds, small insects, acorns, leaves, grains, berries, grass, roots, bulbs, frogs, lizards, snails and worms. This non-migratory bird wanders and scavenges for food, often scratching at ground leaves or dirt to expose food. The wild turkey can fly, if need be, but only for short distances. If threatened or in fear, this bird is most likely to use its powerful legs to run for cover.
Males also have the unique ability to change their head color when startled or excited.
The normally bright red head turns white when the wild turkey gets excited, and then bright blue. The voice of the wild turkey is loud. Male and female wild turkeys also use a variation of calls to express fear, call young, and signal others. The male produces a loud gobbling call to attract a mate. During courtship, the male turkey does a dance, swells up his face wattle, struts, pulls out his feathers and makes a loud humming noise.