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Wild Turkey in Iowa

Wild Turkey in Iowa

Meleagris gallopavo

Wild Turkey in Iowa — Quick Overview

There are 25,151 recorded sightings of Wild Turkey in Iowa, with 392 observations documented in the past 12 months. Local sightings are most frequently reported in February through May.

When to See Wild Turkey in Iowa

Most often reported in February through May.

Monthly sightings distribution for Wild Turkey in Iowa
MonthRecorded SightingsPeak Month
January1,459No
February1,930Yes
March2,138Yes
April4,112Yes
May5,218Yes
June1,683No
July1,369No
August1,499No
September1,676No
October1,572No
November0No
December0No

Compared With Other Regions

Explore how Wild Turkey sightings in Iowa compare to other North American hubs:

Huge and dark, with iridescent bronze plumage, a bare red and blue head, and a red wattle. Males also carry a hanging beard on the chest and fan out their tails when displaying. It lives in forests and woodland edges of North America, and forages on the ground for acorns, seeds and insects. Flocks roost in trees at night. Look for it at dawn on field edges, and listen for gobbling in spring.

Other Wildlife to Look for in Iowa

Live Field Tracking

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see a Wild Turkey in Iowa?

Wild Turkey is most often reported in Iowa in February through May, based on GBIF records. Reports partly reflect when more people are outdoors, so sightings in other months are possible.

Where can I see a Wild Turkey in Iowa?

There are 25,151 documented Wild Turkey records in Iowa. Parks, refuges and protected areas with suitable habitat are the best places to start; the charts above show when it's reported most.

How can I find Wild Turkey sightings near me in Iowa?

Use the WildMap app on iOS to see recent reports within 100 km from the past 7 days for free (WildMap Pro: 200 km and 30 days), and turn on alerts for sightings near you in Iowa.