Nesting Ecology of Rio Grande Turkeys

The nesting ecology of Rio Grande turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) was studied on the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Refuge (WWR), Sinton, Texas, during January-August 1983 and 1984. Radio telemetry was used to monitor the nesting activities of turkey hens. Twelve of 31 radio-tagged turkeys died during the study: 8 from predation, 1 from disease, 2 from trapping related injuries, and 1 from unknown causes. An annual hen survival rate of 0.73 was calculated from the total number of observation days and the known number of deaths. Ten (58%) of 17 instrumented hens reached incubation in 1983, but all nests were destroyed by predators. Two turkey broods were observed in 1983, one of 2 hens with 5 poults, the other 2 hens with 3 poults. In 1984, nesting data were gathered on 6 hens which reached incubation; 3 hatched eggs. Seven turkey broods totaling 8 hens with 40 poults were observed in August 1984. Nest sites were located in pastures deferred from livestock grazing.