Discussions

Earlier this afternoon I was stopped at the red light at Ninth and Richmond, heading East. Two blocks ahead several cars were stopped to let local South End flock of turkeys cross Richmond.  
 
They crossed in single file, a dozen or two feet between each bird, and in a hurry (the turkey trot?). It looked 'pretty neat' and more than a little comical.  
 
By the time I started counting half of them were across. I counted 15, so the flock conservatively numbers 25 or 30. All seemed to be female and/or young.  
 
It reminded me that Christmas supper is just around the corner ......

turkey!  
 
That would be cool to see! I once seen a front yard on 9th. street full of turkeys! Awesome sight!

Have had to stop for a half dozen deer on princess and 23rdish before too....

I do fear for their safety. They are neat to see, though.

The turkeys in question have assembled a nesting spot somewhere between 1st and 10th, Richmond and Aberdeen. It is interesting to hear about this because I hear stories from people who live in the area and they seem to have grown their flock.

The city released a bunch of wild turkeys in the city last year, is this true?

It is kind of fun to glance out your window and see about 17 of them milling about your front driveway! Saw this group about a week ago, they just go yard to yard foraging along the way, definitely a sight to see. (pic posted)

Wouldn't want to eat those turkeys!  

We have Deer in the NE but the Turkey's are so cool! Do hope the flock survives but does not get much bigger. TY for the pic!

Jenniferj said "Wouldn't want to eat those turkeys!   "

what do you think they would eat?

If you happen to acquire a wild bird for eating, a couple of things my mom has learned:  
 
If really wild and eating wild and burning off most of the fat, then the breast meat is the only good part. The rest is so stringing and lacking fat that there is minimal flavour unless you are going to stew it for hours. She roasted a goose breast by covering it in raw bacon.  
 
These turkeys appear to be tamer and, therefore, more of the meat might be available for consumption. Just be aware that the drumsticks have had the fat run out of it while crossing Richmond. The factory farm turkeys in the supermarkets do not have this luxury of running so they have thunder thighs dripping in flavourful drippings.  

A few more pics, they found a chunk of styrofoam and were pecking at it and kicking it around like a soccer ball.

plane watcher said "Earlier this afternoon I was stopped at the red light at Ninth and Richmond, heading East. Two blocks ahead several cars were stopped to let local South End flock of turkeys cross Richmond.     They crossed in single file, a dozen or two feet between each bird, and in a hurry (the turkey trot?). It looked 'pretty neat' and more than a little comical.     By the time I started counting half of them were across. I counted 15, so the flock conservatively numbers 25 or 30. All seemed to be female and/or young.     It reminded me that Christmas supper is just around the corner ...... "

plane watcher, if you were on Richmond around 10:40 this morning watching those turkeys move in a hurry you might have caught a glimpse of a girl running across the street. That girl was me  
We had to stop heading west but the turkeys seemed to lull on the other side of the road so I pulled my car over and did some turkey herding. A couple cars honked but I think they're used to the sound because they weren't moving.

Getting out of your vehicle and chasing them isn't a great idea. Turkeys have been known to attack humans. They can actually be really mean if they feel they have something to protect...

Jeeper said "Getting out of your vehicle and chasing them isn't a great idea. Turkeys have been known to attack humans. They can actually be really mean if they feel they have something to protect... "

I realized after Jeeper that it wasn't the smartest move and I don't recommend others do the same but I will say I didn't "chase" them. I stayed back and simply walked forward slowly with my arms outstretched. I was raised on a farm with what we affectionately called the "demon roosters" so it wouldn't be the first time a large bird flew at me but again I don't recommend others follow in my foolish footsteps.

That is all we need is a wild turkey incident. By now if were a issue some school kid(s) would either been attacked by one or the other way around.  
 
I think it is cool we let them roam. If area residents have no issue I say great. Car wise I also do fear for their safely.

GlambertLovah said "It is kind of fun to glance out your window and see about 17 of them milling about your front driveway! Saw this group about a week ago, they just go yard to yard foraging along the way, definitely a sight to see. (pic posted) "

No government agency would ever release a wild animal into an urban environment. They moved in from the Brandon Hills and have been reproducing

I was watching the turkeys cross Richmond a few days ago too. Amusing to watch, I was hoping they wouldn't get run over. While I was sitting there waiting, it dawned on me that some of the pedestrians and an awful lot of cyclists in this city could learn a thing or two from the turkeys. The turkeys seem much better at following the rules.

Doug said "That is all we need is a wild turkey incident. By now if were a issue some school kid(s) would either been attacked by one or the other way around.     I think it is cool we let them roam. If area residents have no issue I say great. Car wise I also do fear for their safely. "

In my younger days I've been involved in a couple of Wild Turkey incidents, but I expect you're meaning something else.  
 
I have friends that have these turkeys wandering through their yard fairly often and it's kind of neat seeing them, both there, and as I'm driving through that part of the city. I've had to stop for them on the road but never on Richmond. At the wrong time of day that could be a problem.

The turkey novelty has worn off imo, they nest in the trees above my house. Our vehicles and yard are constantly covered in Turkey droppings which are about the size of a medium dog. They are dirty and I'm washing my vehicles and cleaning up after them all the time. Complete nuisance.

Call bylaw and get an officer over there. They should be able to give you some tricks/ideas to keep them from roosting in your tree.

https://youtu.be/5MjgQiYyApo  
hope the link works. kinda funny.  
 

Thanks zekeland, but I have phoned animal control / bylaw multiple times and they won't do anything.