Brood habitat use of Rio Grande wild turkeys

Habitat use of 14 Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) broods was studied in riparian habitats in northeast Colorado in 1986-87. Of 191 locations, 78% were within the riparian zone, 11 % in agricultural uplands, and 11 % on the edge between these habitats. Use of habitats was dependent on time of day. Within the riparian zone, older broods used grazed areas more often than young broods. Microhabitat use was examined at 35 brood and 29 random locations within the riparian zone. Plots used by young broods had higher frequencies of grasses than random plots.