Winter roost site characteristics of eastern wild turkeys

Authors

H. J. Kilpatrick, University of New Hampshire Durham
T. P. Husband, University of New Hampshire Durham
C. A. Pringle, University of New Hampshire Durham

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1988

Abstract

Nine winter roost sites used by Meleagris gallopavo silvestris in Rhode Island were compared to 9 random plots. Roost sites were closer to open water than random plots (mean 39.8±19.6 vs 280.9±114.2m). White pine Pinus strobus and oaks Quercus spp., comprised 43.7 and 24.2%, respectively, of trees within roost sites and 24.3 and 46.7%, respectively, of trees on control plots. Mean diameter at breast height (dbh) of roost trees was larger than trees on control plots (mean 48.4±14.8 vs 20.2±5.8cm). Of 25 roost trees, 23 were white pines and 2 were eastern hemlock Tsuga canadensis. Stands with white pines ↔48cm dbh within 39.8m of water were used for winter roosting before other sites. -Authors

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Wildlife Management

Volume

52

Issue

3

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Kilpatrick, H. J., T. P. Husband, and C. A. Pringle. "Winter roost site characteristics of eastern wild turkeys." Journal of Wildlife Management 52, 3 (1988). doi: 10.2307/3801591.