Habitat use and reproductive ecology of the Ocellated Turkey in Tikal National Park, Guatemala

Despite its size, color, importance as a game species, and restricted geogr aphic range (Yucatan Peninsula, northern Belize, and northern Guatemala), l ittle is known about the ecology of the Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellat a). Habitat use, breeding behavior, and survival based on radiotelemetry of this species were studied in Tikal National Park, Guatemala 1988-1989 and 1993-1994. Ocellated Turkeys use tall forest cover to care for their poults and forest clearings and other vegetation types during courtship and nesti ng. Radio-collared females traveled up to 8 km (average of 2.4 km) from the point of capture in search of nesting sites. Nesting success of eight hens was 62% and poult survival rate was 15%. The largest home range recorded f or a female with poults was 12.5 km(2).