Wild Turkeys: Understanding Their Mating System

Do wild turkeys mate for life?

Final answer: Wild turkeys do not mate for life; they participate in a mating system known as polygyny.

Answer

Contrary to many bird species which mate for life, wild turkeys do not exhibit monogamous behaviour, meaning they do not stick with one partner for life.

Understanding Wild Turkeys' Mating Behavior

Wild turkeys engage in a polygynous mating system, where male turkeys mate with multiple females during the breeding season.

Male turkeys, known as Toms, will attempt to mate with as many different female turkeys, or hens, as they can in order to spread their genes and increase the survival chances of the offspring.

During the breeding season, Toms put on extravagant displays to attract hens, who will then find a safe spot to lay their eggs and raise the poults by themselves.

This polygynous mating system is common in many bird species and helps in spreading strong genes and increasing the chances of survival for the next generation.