Science Quickly Thanksgiving’s Iconic Bird Is Thriving Again in the Wild
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Nov 26, 2025 Michael Chamberlain, a Distinguished Professor at the University of Georgia and a veteran wild turkey researcher, shares fascinating insights about these iconic birds. He reveals how wild turkeys bounced back from near extinction in the 1930s to over six million today, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. Listeners learn about turkey social hierarchies, the surprising adaptability of suburban turkeys, and the complex relationship between hunting and conservation. Chamberlain encourages appreciation for these remarkable creatures beyond the Thanksgiving table.
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Turkey Comeback From Near Extinction
- Wild turkey populations crashed to as low as ~30,000 by the 1930s and later recovered to over six million today due to targeted conservation efforts.
- This recovery ranks as one of the United States' most successful wildlife comeback stories.
How A Graduate Project Became A Career
- Michael Chamberlain chose turkeys in graduate school and turned a childhood hunting interest into a lifelong research career.
- Fieldwork revealed complex turkey behavior that hooked him and defined his career path.
Structured Dominance Governs Turkey Life
- Wild turkeys live in strict dominance hierarchies that shape daily behavior from hatching onward.
- Dominance affects access to food, breeding order, and nesting timing, which influences offspring survival.