Baby Brush Turkey
 

I have a Brush Turkey nest-mound on my land. It is quite large (about 3 metres in diameter and 1.5 metres high). It is maintained by an adult male and his many adult female, umm..., friends.

Today was the first hatching day - I have seen five so far. The adults ignore them and they go their independent ways after an hour or so. They are not easy to photograph because they move fast but this one hung around for a while - it is enjoying a yummy fruit from one of my trees :).

Are they completely ignored by their parents?

Nice looking birdie... and a good photo of it too. ;)

Yes, the chicks are completely ignored.

After the eggs are laid the male does all of the work. Decaying vegetation in the mound provides incubation warmth. The male has a very good temperature sensor in his beak and is constantly fiddling with the mound, keeping the temperature right for the eggs.

The five from yesterday have all vanished - will see what happens today.

Great photo, kiwi!

In general, birds that are hatched in nests on the ground must be ready to move soon after they dry off. Being completely ignored and on their own is new to me, though.

From National Geographic: "Females (American Wild Turkey) lay 4 to 17 eggs, and feed their chicks after they hatch—but only for a few days. Young turkeys quickly learn to fend for themselves as part of mother/child flocks that can include dozens of animals. Males take no role in the care of young turkeys."

Awe.....thank you for the pic and info....they say u learn something new everyday and I sure did :)

Debi from Georgia