Habitat use and selection by Merriam's turkeys in the Prescott National Forest, Arizona

Abstract

Habitat use of Merriam's turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) was characterized in the Prescott National Forest, Arizona, between March 1991 and August 1992. Roost sites were generally found in canyons or on hillsides, and contained a large number of ponderosa pine trees, and Gambel oak seedlings and trees. Turkeys fed on juniper berries, generally in small groups of large juniper trees within ponderosa pine stands. Turkeys fed on acorns in stands of Gambel oak on hillsides. Turkeys feeding on grass/forb vegetation tended to be on flat areas with a large amount of forb and grass cover. Turkeys loafed under Gambel oak, in areas with large amounts of Gambel oak growth near openings, on hillsides or in canyons. Turkeys also loafed under juniper trees; these areas had a large basal area of alligator juniper and high numbers of Gambel oak seedlings.