When you hear the word “turkey,” most people think of that yummy Thanksgiving dinner roast. Others think of those little hand art projects that make perfect Thanksgiving placemats. Now, when I hear the word “turkey,” I think about the great bird itself.
If I ever were to see one in the wild, I would walk right up to it and maybe stroke its feathers a little. However, Hana Shinzawa ’24 would disagree. She says: “Whenever I see turkeys, it awakens a fear in my heart. One time, I saw a group of five turkeys on my run, and I immediately crossed the street because there was no way I would run by them.” So, are turkeys really friends, or are they foes?
According to Mass.gov, turkeys become extremely aggressive during the spring. Spring is mating season for turkeys, so they tend to assert their dominance. Turkeys have a “pecking order” in their flock, so each turkey tries to prove its alpha male status, becoming very aggressive towards other birds and humans who it views as subordinates. Turkeys also may attack shiny or reflective objects they see themselves in, as they think their reflections are other turkeys that they must assert dominance over.
Now you may be asking: if I give them food, will they become friendly towards me? The answer is absolutely not. When turkeys become too comfortable with humans, they will get overly aggressive and attack. To fend off the turkeys, make loud noises, spray them with water, or bring out a leashed dog. You can also booby trap your yard, but turkeys are very intelligent creatures and will get used to these booby traps and eventually ignoring them.
If you find yourself in a turkey terror reading this article, do not fear. Winter will bring a welcome respite from avian attackers. Turkeys are less aggressive in the winter, as they travel in flocks and spend most of their energy looking for food.
So now, the question everyone is wondering about is: are turkeys friends or foes? The answer, as Katrina Landry ‘24 says: “Foes, of course. What else would I say? I’m not cozying up with anything with a beak.” If you see a turkey on the street, avoid it. Do not try to pet turkeys, as they will probably attack you, especially in the spring. If you really want to approach a turkey, approach them with sufficient defense mechanisms and an abundance of caution.
Source: https://www.mass.gov/news/spring-tips-for-aggressive-turkeys#:~:text=Turkeys%20may%20attempt%20to%20dominate,reflection%20as%20an%20intruding%20turkey.
By Leslie Baker ‘24, Clubs & Classes Editor and Copy Editor
