Experts share hard-nosed advice for how to coexist with the savage birds that have been flocking to urban center .
Anne Readel
tempestuous turkeys are among the most placeable birds in North America with their comically outsize bodies , extravagant plumage , and famous person status over theThanksgiving vacation . Yet , many people had never witness a turkey in the wild until the birds began move into metropolis over the last 10 - 20 years . Now , it ’s not strange to see raging turkeys sauntering down sidewalks , blocking traffic , andraiding hiss feedersin many city across the country .
Credit:Anne Readel
So , how did these once - tough forest habitant becomebackyard birdsin only a few X ? As it turns out , our urban center offer turkeys abundant advantages and few reason to give , according to the experts we asked .
Why Are Turkeys Are Drawn to Cities?
Turkeys like landscape with forests for protection and open space for feeding , saysDavid Drake , an extension wildlife specialist at the University of Wisconsin - Madison . While biologists long believed that turkeys required large block of unbroken home ground to prosper , that does n’t look to be the showcase . “ They ’re much more adaptable to fragmented landscape painting than we gave them credit , ” Drake allege .
Safe Shelter and Available Food
Urban and suburban areas , with their clusters of old trees andsprawling yards , provide idealistic turkey habitats . They provide intellectual nourishment , protection , and areas where turkeys can safely cover and raise young , saysSunny Corrao , a wildlife biologist and public engagement coordinator in New York . “ It ’s not a fancy answer , but that ’s all they need , ” she say .
The growing course to incorporate more green quad into cities may also appeal the boisterous birds . “ New York City is a expert example of how we ’ve been greening the entire urban center and better our Rosa Parks , ” Corrao says . She believes such improvements have assist Meleagris gallopavo spread into numerous boroughs throughout the city .
Fewer Predators
Corrao says another reason turkeys are soak up to metropolis lifespan is because there are few predatory animal . While urban coyotes , fox , skunks , and raccoon will gladly nab Republic of Turkey orchis and babies , grownup turkeys — which weigh up to 20 pounds — are redoubtable opponents , note Drake . “ Once they get to be an adult , they ’re pretty safe , ” he says .
Turkeys in cities face fewer foeman than their brethren in rural areas . While city turkeys can be hit by cars , “ they ’re not getting hunted ; they ’re not getting shot at , ” Drake says .
“ You have reduced mortality , you ’ve got abundant food , you ’ve got abundant tax shelter habitat — it ’s reasonably good live for them in an urban surface area , ” explain Drake . As a result , dotty turkeys have flocked to cities across the United States and are regular fix in office like New York City , Madison , and Berkeley , to name a few turkey raging maculation .
Credit:Arthur Morris / Getty Images
Arthur Morris / Getty Images
What to Know About Turkeys
The fact that these large birds now endure among us is noteworthy , considering their history . Faced with extinction a century ago , preservation efforts in the mid-1900s were highly successful . Today , around 6.5 millionwild turkeys live in the United States . Their penchant for metropolis life now means that many of us can witness their incredible comeback story from our own backyards . Yet , our new family relationship with urban turkeys is n’t problem - free .
Turkeys and Cities Don’t Always Mix Well
unfounded turkeys have become so well-fixed in their urban archeological site that they can be see a nuisance . The internet abounds with stories and picture of uncivilized turkeys hold up dealings , chasing walker , stalking postal worker , pecking cars , crashing through window , and pooping all over property , to the chagrin of homeowner . While such stories sometimes elicit laughs , these encounters can be frightening and trying for the citizenry involved — and do n’t always end well for the hiss . pain turkey are often relocate to rural areas or killed .
While turkeys can doubtlessly be aggressive and cause mischief , they lean to be less problematic than other declamatory animals that have made our cities home . “ It ’s not like great deal lions test to deplete you , ” Drake says .
Deer are notoriousfor razing prized peak and vegetable gardens around nursing home , notesSteve Beissinger , a professor at the University of California - Berkeley . “ I have n’t seen a lot of complaints about turkeys doing that , ” he say .
Why Some Residents Welcome Turkeys
Stories about turkey terrorizing cities provide an incomplete picture of what it ’s like to endure with these birds . “ A great deal of people find it fascinating to see them wandering around their neighborhoods , ” Beissinger state .
“ We also get folks that are very supportive of the turkeys and finger that this is a great thing to add to the biodiversity and the overall wellness of the ecosystem , ” Corrao take note . Drake has observed the same thing : “ There are a lot of citizenry who really love them , " he says .
Coexisting With Turkeys
disregarding of whether residents are delighted or dismayed by their feathered neighbors , people require to discover how to coexist with them , Corrao says . To coexist , turkeys must remain mistrustful of people , apprize the expert . They provide the following passport on how to accomplish this :
“ do as a predator so they do n’t require to approach you , ” says Corrao . “ You do n’t desire them to intimidate you . ”
in the end , urban turkeys appear here to stay , so coexistence is key .
Wild fact About Wild Turkeys . U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
