What was once a rare sight in the neighborhood is now no big deal to see an urban turkey or turkeys walking down our street, roosting in trees, or hanging out on car hoods.
The Boston Globe has a story about the rebirth of the wild turkey in Massachusetts. Way back in 1851, turkeys were hunted, and the population disappeared. In the early 1970s, 37 wild turkeys from New York State were released in Berkshire County. Today, there are 30,000 to 35,000 in the Commonwealth, with some coming right into urban neighborhoods. This restoration of the wild turkey is considered one of the biggest conservation success stories in American history.
Helpful tips on dealing with these birds
We’re sure you’ve seen turkeys roaming the neighborhood streets. Sometimes it’s just one turkey alone. Other times, it’s a rafter, aka a group of turkeys. (Impress your friends with that vocabulary word.) You’ve sent us your videos of turkeys sleeping on top of cars or strutting down busy thoroughfares. But these lovable scamps can get mean and sometimes attack humans. This means you should take some precautions.
Turkey Precautions
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife released some helpful tips if you come face-to-face with these – sometimes mean and aggressive – birds. No one wants a beef with a turkey, right?
Turkeys can act aggressively by pecking, following, or exhibiting other intimidating behavior towards people. More often than not, it’s the male (eye roll) that attempts to attack or dominate by puffing out their feathers or gobbling loudly.
What to do if you come face-to-face with a pissed-off turkey
If you are being threatened by a turkey, it’s advised that you use a broom or a hose to scare them off. We’re thinking that might provoke them, but okay give it a whirl. Don’t have a broom or hose handy? Just act loud and big. Turkeys tend to dominate people they find as subordinate.
If you have a problem with turkey street toughs hanging around your property, it’s recommended that you try balloons, pinwheels, or Wacky Wavy Inflatable Tube Man. Evidently turkeys hate a celebration and will steer clear. Actually, it’s because they are afraid of things that are moving around.
Don’t feed the birds
And what every you do, never, ever, ever feed the turkeys – sort of like Gremlins. Giving turkeys food can lead to aggressive and/or bold behavior. You certainly don’t want turkeys waiting around on your stoop look to be feed and then when you don’t have any food a physical altercation occurs. Just don’t feed them. That goes for seagulls too.
Bottom line, treat turkeys the same way we treat a pack a teenagers, just cross the street and avoid eye contact.
You can see the full list of helpful turkey tips here.
Be careful out there!
Another interesting fact? Turkeys sleep in trees.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
Introducing turkeys in areas they have a huge impact because they forage on the ground . They disturb nests and remove parts of the woods other wood creatures rely on for hiding such as frogs . They also eat small snakes. In fact they have diminished once plentiful leopard frogs along with the effects of chemicals used on the fields. Bringing turkeys back where they have not existed for decades if no centuries is not helping local ecology. I have seen videos of turkeys eating baby quail and grouse on deer cameras . I am the first to say Turkeys are bad for most places they are reintroduced. Use them for a Thanksgiving meal for the homeless is better than letting them destroy what is left of a weakened ecological balance.