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10 October 2019 Reproductive ecology of Gould's Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) in Arizona
Bret A. Collier, Nathan Fyffe, Alex Smallwood, Brittany Oleson, Nicholas W. Bakner, James R. Heffelfinger, Michael J. Chamberlain
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Abstract

Gould's Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) are the least-studied subspecies of Wild Turkey. Restoration efforts to establish sustainable populations of the subspecies continue throughout portions of the historical range in New Mexico and Arizona. Wild Turkey population viability is driven by reproductive success, yet information on aspects of the reproductive ecology of Gould's Wild Turkey is either scant or nonexistent. We used GPS telemetry to detail reproductive ecology of 23 females during 2017 in southeastern Arizona. We observed a nest initiation rate of 65% and nest success of 58%. Average estimated date for the onset of laying for initial nests was 17 May, which was later than for other subspecies of Wild Turkey. Estimated clutch size ( = 5.6 eggs) across 14 nests and vegetative characteristics at nests were comparable to nest sites selected by Eastern and Rio Grande subspecies, but did not appear to influence nest fate. Mean size of incubation recess ranges was 21 ha (SD = 99), but was highly variable across individual females and we found no evidence of habitat sampling by female Gould's Wild Turkeys before initiating laying of eggs. Females used open/herbaceous habitats and pine-oak woodlands throughout the reproductive period but type of conditions used varied between the laying, incubation, and brooding period. While based on 1 year of field data, our work represents the only assessment of the reproductive ecology of the Gould's Wild Turkey in the United States and should prompt further investigations into the biology of this iconic southwestern species.

Bret A. Collier, Nathan Fyffe, Alex Smallwood, Brittany Oleson, Nicholas W. Bakner, James R. Heffelfinger, and Michael J. Chamberlain "Reproductive ecology of Gould's Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) in Arizona," The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 131(3), 667-679, (10 October 2019). https://doi.org/10.1676/18-162
Received: 31 October 2018; Accepted: 21 December 2018; Published: 10 October 2019
KEYWORDS
Arizona
Gould's Wild Turkey
incubation
Meleagris gallopavo mexicana
nesting ecology
reproduction
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