Meleagris gallopavo

Many Utahns have reported increased sightings of wild turkeys. Wild turkeys are not known to have existed in Utah during early white settlement. However, evidence suggests that wild turkeys co-existed with American Indians in Utah.

Turkeys are expanding in Utah due to efforts of conservation groups like the National Wild Turkey Federation and partner efforts with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Today, the state has two species of wild turkey: Merriam's and Rio Grandes. The Merriam prefers higher elevations in Utah's ponderosa pine zone. The Rio Grande likes cottonwood river bottoms and agricultural perimeters.

Seven Merriam's turkeys were first planted in the LaSal Mountains of Grand County in 1952 from stock obtained from Colorado. Established populations now exist in Grand, San Juan, Beaver, Iron, Kane, Washington, Garfield, Piute, and Wayne counties. Rios are found from Box Elder County in the north to Utah County in central Utah and San Juan and Iron counties.

Bill Fenimore is the author of Backyard Birds of Utah, the first in his 50 state, Backyard Birds guide series, and the owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center, www.wildbird.com/layton.