Past research suggests nesting habitat limits survival and growth of some eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) populations. However, information on nest-site selection is primarily on established populations with limited data on restocked birds. Our objectives were to assess nest-site characteristics of relocated birds and determine causes of nest failure in the Post Oak Savannah of eastern Texas. Radio-tagged wild turkey hens (N = 48) were relocated to 4 areas in winter 1994. We compared understory and ground cover characteristics between 22 nest sites of radio-tagged turkeys and 22 random sites. Furthermore, we measured Euclidean distance to transition zones (“edges”) and presence/absence of protective barriers (“guard object”) at nest and random sites. Important nest-site characteristics were lateral cover, height of vegetation, and protective barriers. Mammalian predation was the major cause of nest failure.
