Wild Turkeys Wild Turkey Track Click here to hear a turkey gobble. Wild turkeys are native to the southeastern United States. They have been introduced in many parts of the west, including California. They prefer oak woodlands, but are found in grasslands and pine forests as well. They are swift runners and are wary of people.
Turkeys are polygamous.
The male struts with his tail fanned to attract a harem. Where they naturally occur, wild turkeys were used by Native Americans as food. Some tribes refused to eat turkeys, believing that the birds were stupid and cowardly. The people feared that eating the birds would cause them to acquire some of these characteristics. Turkeys lay eight to ten buff colored eggs with brown spots.