Wild turkeys are back, but when fed, some are bird bullies

California wildlife officials began getting calls about wild
turkey attacks in October 2021. (Photo from MediaNews Group)

Turns out that the American wild turkey, which once faced extinction, doesn't mind living around people; in fact, they thrive in both rural and urban areas. But now their population is booming, and citizens are voicing concerns over turkey tactics that include attacking delivery divers and mail carriers from New England to California.

In Sacramento, wildlife officials were notified in October 2021 that angry turkeys were sighted harassing delivery drivers, reports Christian Martinez of the Los Angeles Times. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service was called to capture the wild birds. An agent 'searched for the birds on at least two occasions in early January but could not locate the offenders.' . . . Last winter, a mail carrier was making deliveries in that neighborhood of Sacramento when he was attacked by a 'particularly aggressive' and 'massive' male turkey," Martinez reports. "The carrier, who was armed with some kind of stick, hit the turkey, killing it," according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"This is the biggest turkey I’ve ever seen," said Capt. Patrick Foy, a spokesman for the department’s law enforcement division. He told Martinez that a neighbor had given the turkeys "copious quantities" of food. Here's a common thread of wisdom found on several "Living with wild turkeys" sites: Do not feed wild turkeys. Additional tips for co-existing with turkeys can be found here.