Urban Turkey

OK, it's official. The wild turkeys are now deeper in the city and are poised to reach the coast by the end of summer! Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera with me, but the bird was walking along West Cottage Street between Dudley Street and Blue Hill Avenue near The Food Project's Roxbury farm. At the rate they're spreading, I suppose it's only a matter of time before they occupy the rest of Roxbury and then infiltrate Dorchester and South Boston.

Anyway, the driver of the tour I was on gave advice for what to do when one encounters a wild turkey. Apparently the procedure is to wave your arms or do something which will frighten the bird and establish dominance. Otherwise, as we all know, they're likely to attack. I'm wondering, though, whether these birds are protected. Why can't residents go out and catch these birds? I mean, is it really all that different in theory from harvesting free-range chickens?

Comments

[Adam Gaffin]

They've already made it to South Boston!

www.bostonherald.com/blogs/news/city_desk_wired/index.php/2008/04/18/turkeys-in-southie

[David]

Turkey sighting in Savin Hill:

http://www.dotnews.com/index%204.3.08.html

My partner has also seen one on Jones Hill.

[3D]

Wow! That was quick. I thought they were still camped out in Kendall Square and Coolidge Corner. Has anyone figured out where they're coming from or how they're getting around undetected?

[Mark Sullivan]

I nearly hit a very confused turkey in the middle Goddard Street a block or two from the Park School the other day. I guess that is really Brookline, and not very urban at that point. Being a Highland Park resident, I know it can't be long before they start moving into the city and gentrifying the place.