Wild Turkey – In the Neighborhood

Wild Turkeys are reportedly rare in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They even more rare in a residential subdivision. Nonetheless, that’s exactly where this one was photographed.

So where did this turkey come from? In 2005, a group of Rio Grande Wild Turkeys were released into the Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) as part of a reintroduction effort. LLELA is south of the Lake Lewisville dam, and just 3 to 4 miles northwest of where this photograph was taken.

In all, forty-nine Wild Turkey were released in 2005, and all were banded. Twenty-five of the released birds were also fitted with radio transmitters. This bird is not banded, so if she is related to the Wild Turkeys released in the Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area in 2005, then she must be a second or third generation offspring

We observed this female Wild Turkey early one June morning. The hen was seen walking through the short grass next to a small stream in a residential park. The park is located between two subdivisions in far north Carrollton.

A closer look at the Wild Turkey hen. This bird is likely of the Rio Grande subspecies, and is probably the offspring of one of the Wild Turkeys released into the Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area as part of a 2005 reintroduction effort.

As we approached the Wild Turkey made every effort to stay one step ahead of us. She was a very fast runner, and her quick movements provide an explanation for the blurring in this photograph.

Even with the poor quality of this photograph, it can be determined that this bird is not banded. So, if she is related to the Wild Turkeys released in the Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area in 2005, then she must be a second or third generation offspring. Forty-nine Wild Turkey were released in 2005, and all were banded. Twenty-five of the released birds were also fitted with radio transmitters.

Observation Details

County	–	Denton
City	–	Carrollton
Date	–	June 5, 2007
Time of Day	–	Morning
Temperature	–	Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather	–	Clear
Habitat	–	Recreation – Park
Type of Behavior	–	Roaming
Gender	–	Female
Maturity	–	Adult
Observer	–	Chris Jackson

One Reply to “Wild Turkey – In the Neighborhood”

I live in downtown Fort Worth, and this morning I captured a pic of a huge turkey crossing our backyard. I THINK this is very rare. If you would like the photo, I can send.

DFW Urban Wildlife