Debunking the Drowning Poults | Wild Turkey Science #523

Sometimes, the best stories are embellished but grounded in a little bit of truth… Join as we peel back the myth that poults drown when they look up at rainfall.

Resources:

Boone, W. W., et al. (2025). Effects of temperature and precipitation on wild turkey brood survival in the southeastern United States. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 49, e70003.

Healy, W. M., & Nenno, E. S. (1985). Effect of weather on wild turkey poult survival. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 1985, 91-101.

Roberts, S. D., & Porter, W. F. (1998). Influence of temperature and precipitation on survival of wild turkey poults. The Journal of wildlife management, 1499-1505.

Wiley, J. W., & Wunderle Jr, J. M. (1993). The effects of hurricanes on birds, with special reference to Caribbean islands. Bird Conservation International, 3(4), 319-349.

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