Some great capturing of a fierce battle! Looks like you have perfect habitat for shelter!

Thanks, Konrad. I try to provide shelter for the birds and critters, but turkeys rampaging all over can certainly cause some disruption. I was just glad no daffodils were up yet.

Claire

This is the second time I've seen a wild turkey battle, the first one was in early April, 2013. The result was the same - a lot of drama but no bloodshed, and one turkey running off in disgrace.

and the end.

According to Cornell's Birds of North America online site,

"Dominance Hierarchies

Male and female domestic turkeys develop a peck order, each sex forming an independent hierarchy in heterosexual groupings. Female hierarchies tend to be highly stable while males' may change almost continuously; degree of pecking in well-organized social hierarchies suggests that flocks differ markedly in amount of interaction among birds and that the behavior may have a genetic basis. Ability to win fights and degree of interaction within peck orders appear to be independent characteristics ( Hale et al. 1969 ). "

"Agonistic Behavior

In the breeding season, snood of dominant male is extended and coloration of carunculated area of head and neck is enhanced with brilliant red predominating, blue surrounding eyes, and a white “pancake” on crown; colors and extension of snood change rapidly with mood; body posture during threat tends to be lateral to opponent with head held high and facing other bird, beak forward, wings dropped and held slightly away from body, contour feathers sleeked and rectrices partially fanned; vocalization during threat a distinct staccato trill ( Hale et al. 1969 ; “rattle,” Williams 1984e ).

Fighting begins with mutual threat and progresses to striking with wings and kicking. Eventually one bird grabs the other's beak or snood and birds entwine necks, pushing against each other with breasts. Fights usually end by one bird gaining advantage and getting beak hold on skin of back of opponent's neck. With this hold, winning bird forces opponent's head to ground, until loser is able to twist free ( Healy et al. 1975 ). Snood of submissive bird retracts and bird moves away. Winner may follow with snood extended, head held high, threatening or pecking submissive bird; winner, if male, may shift to courtship. Males fight more vigorously than females but pattern is the same in both sexes ( Hale et al. 1969 )."

Claire

Boys will be boys. Great video. Those are jakes, juvenile males. You can tell by their lack of beards. Adult male turkeys have long beards that resemble horse hair and can be quite long. You'll note that these guys have very short beginnings of beards that stick out rather than hang down. If these guys were serious about battle, they'd use their spurs, which are located above their feet, more than their beaks. An adult turkey fight can be brutal. Like chickens, they'll also attack a sick or injured member of the flock, actually killing it so its genes won't be passed on. It's nature's way.

Thanks, pawpawridgefarm. I've never seen a serious adult turkey fight here and I hope I never do.

PKponder: The bird bath wasn't damaged; just overturned. Turkeys occasionally kick it over (big klutzes) and I just right it and refill it.

Claire

Very interesting! It seemed like it was pretty non-violent and unresolved. But with pawpawridgefarm's info, it makes more sense. You're so lucky to have these types of animals around. Although I know they can be pests. I have a friend in southern Illinois with them and they're always eating things they shouldn't.....like the ginseng that she's trying to keep alive. I live in the country, but most of the people around here are farmers, or others who aren't that interested in preserving nature. Your spot looks great! thanks for sharing that interesting video Claire!

Interesting shoving match - the beak grip keeps the birds from pecking eyes out and keeps the feet out of play.