Whats he doing???
 

OK here is a pic off my game camera, this picture was taken on Dec 27, 04. In this pic the bird looks like he is strutting, but is sitting on the ground. Has anyone ever seen this behavior from a gobbler? Especially this time of year,, now I have to add that the temperature was unseasonably warm around this day, not sure of the temp, but it was warm. I just found it interesting and wanted to share it, and ask if anyone had ever seen anything like it.

RE: Whats he doing???
 

I should also add that this bird is with three other adult large gobblers, and eleven hens and jakes, if that may help explain his behavior.

RE: Whats he doing???
 

I have seen my dad's tame turkeys do that before, but not a wild turkey. He may have been dusting himself?

RE: Whats he doing???
 

Digging a hole in preperation for the up coming spring season lol....

RE: Whats he doing???
 

I think he's gone into faults mate or maybe he's trying to lay an egg [8D] ...BT

RE: Whats he doing???
 

can't tell but he may have a hen under him ; if not then he may be in the breeding process to him slef. I have saw it in the spring,not in winter.[&:][:o][:o][&:][8D]

RE: Whats he doing???
 

Looks like you caught him in a trap and he can't move Seriously I don't know, hope he is there come Spring.

RE: Whats he doing???
 

I'd say he is taking a squat!

RE: Whats he doing???
 

I've seen Jakes in that position when I called em in, remember thats a still photo. They were all hot to trott with no Lady to trot with. So they'll trot by themselves.....

RE: Whats he doing???
 

angus i actually saw one doing this the other day in iowa. It was in the snow but he was doing the same thing. it was kinda cool.

RE: Whats he doing???
 

I think ShallowRio's right, the pic is a little dark but it looks to me like you caught him in one of his "private times".

RE: Whats he doing???
 

LOL!!!Good answers guys!!:DI've actually seen them do this on the roost before!You can call him a lazy strutter!!!:)

RE: Whats he doing???
 

i think it's called masturbating........at least that is what i see the tamed wild gobblers do that my friend has.........

RE: Whats he doing???
 

Thanks for the answers everyone.. I didnt have an idea what he was doing, but found it pretty interesting. I get some really neat pictures on my game cams, and it was no exception. Masterbating????:eek:[:-] Boy I never would have guessed that one!! lol

RE: Whats he doing???
 

Called a longbeard,jake,and two hens in last year.They all laid down right out of range.So I clucked and the gobbler gobbled.He did this a few more times when I called.Eventually they turned and left.I've never seen them just lay down like that.
Oh yeah,later in the day the gobbler came back..his mistake.:D

RE: Whats he doing???
 

LOL!! You guys have some good replies. I like the one that he's taking a squat.

RE: Whats he doing???
 

Since it was in december when the pic was taken, maybe he's fluffling his feathers to stay warm. You mentioned that there was other turkeys around him at the time, so maybe he felt safe enough to do this????? My two cents on it. Either way, very unique photo for sure. Thanks for sharing.;)

RE: Whats he doing???
 

Yes, I have seen this. It's a show of dominance. And yes, Turkeys will strut all year around, Just not nearly as much as they do in the spring. Sometimes it will be only the most dominant bird. If it is real cold they are less likely to strut because they lose alot of body heat when they open their feathers. Most people don't see all this because they are not in the woods during the winter months. I took this picture two days ago, the temp was only 10 above zero. Go to: www.pbase.com/mlo3135127

RE: Whats he doing???
 

leave the bird alone! How else is he supposed to scratch his ass?

Mat

RE: Whats he doing???
 

You got it.....
He was probably trying to remove a willnot. (like a dog on carpet)