Real and Perceived Damage by Wild Turkeys: A Literature Review

As populations of wild turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo ) have increased, the number of complaints about damage has increased. We conducted a literature review to determine real and perceived damage caused by wild turkeys in North America. Wild turkeys can cause damage to agricultural crops, such as corn ( Zea mays L.), soybeans ( Glycine max [L.] Merrill), wheat, and hay crops but the majority of actual damage is usually minor or caused by other wildlife, thus estimates of damage by wild turkeys often are inflated. Occasionally, wild turkeys damage specialty crops, turfgrass, or ornamental flowers that may have higher value than common agricultural crops. We also investigated effects wild turkeys may have on other species of wildlife and found no evidence of widespread negative effects.