CHARACTERISTICS OF WINTER ROOST AND ACTIVITY SITES OF WILD TURKEYS IN MINNESOTA
Abstract: Selection of winter microhabitats that minimize heat loss from wind and radiation can potentially reduce thermoregulatory energy requirements and increase survival of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). In this study we compared winter microclimatic and microhabitat characteristics of noct...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2005-01-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.2005.tb00319.x |
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| Summary: | Abstract: Selection of winter microhabitats that minimize heat loss from wind and radiation can potentially reduce thermoregulatory energy requirements and increase survival of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). In this study we compared winter microclimatic and microhabitat characteristics of nocturnal roost sites and diurnal activity sites in an attempt to identify features of roost sites that may reduce thermoregulatory energy demands of eastern wild turkeys (M. g. silvestris) in Minnesota. During the winters of 1997–1999, we compared weather and habitat characteristics at 119 paired roost and activity sites of 27 radio‐tagged female wild turkeys. Turkeys traveled only 396 ± 32 m (x ± SE) from diurnal activity sites to nocturnal roost sites, offering little evidence of deliberate travel to preferred roost habitats. Roost and activity sites both provided protection from wind, which averaged 12.2 km/h greater at open sites (P < 0.001). Wild turkeys used roost sites characterized by a higher canopy (P < 0.001) and, in the severe winter of 1997, larger diameter overstory trees (P = 0.020) and greater overstory stem density (P = 0.018) than at activity sites. Turkeys selected coniferous forest stands for 26.0% of their roosts, even though conifers formed <1% of the study area. However, daily selection of conifer roosts was not significantly greater (P = 0.219) on cold nights than warm nights. Turkeys selected upper and lower slopes for diurnal activity sites (P < 0.001), where they had easy access to ridgetop and valley cropland. Most activity (45.3%) and roost (47.8%) sites were located on slopes facing south to southwest. Winter roost sites in this study were better described by proximity to available food than by characteristics of favorable microclimates. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-5540 |