Can Wild Turkeys Fly?
Turkey FlyingWild turkeys can and do fly. Although these birds may sometimes weigh over 25 pounds, their strong muscles and wings allow them powerful flight over short distances. However, adults rarely fly with continuous wingbeats for more than about 1/8 mile. When gliding with periodic wingbeats– such as flying downslope– turkeys can fly about 1 mile without difficulty. Their flight speed has been estimated as up to 55 to 60 mph. By nature, however, turkeys are “cursorial” (running) birds and they prefer to move about and escape on foot except when startled or severely chased. The young poults learn to fly at about 8 to 10 days. At that time, they begin to roost with the hen in trees. Before attaining “flight status”, the hen and poults stay together on the ground at night. This may make them more susceptible to predators. Turkeys do not migrate or fly south for the winter. Although they may use somewhat different habitats or areas at different seasons of the year, Eastern wild tur
