Tom beards grow up to 15 to 17 inches. Finally, males are larger and heavier than females. During the spring, hens are attracted to the gobbling and strutting of the toms. Toms will mate with multiple hens. Once mating is complete, the males do not participate in nesting or rearing of the young, called poults.
Turkeys have a broad diet, including insects, berries, nuts, grain, and grass.
They will take advantage of farm plantings and can survive through fairly harsh winters by consuming body weight when food is snow covered. These birds also have a complex communication of sounds ranging from the well-known gobble to purrs, whines, and clucks. Some sounds indicate danger, others sexual activity, and others searching for other birds. The wild turkey originally ranged throughout most all regions of the North America and has been known for its intelligence and ability to survive. As the Eastern and Midwestern hardwood forests were destroyed by pioneers, the wild turkey populations rapidly fell in these areas due to lack of habitat and hunting.