Turkeys in suburbia? I recently was assisting an individual in identifying some scat on his property. I suggested it could be from a turkey. He was incredulous because he lived in the suburbs. But he shouldn’t have been surprised.
Turkey populations have thrived in many parts of the country. While many people enjoy watching turkeys strut through their yards, turkeys can cause some conflicts. Particularly turkeys in suburbia.
Perhaps the two most important conflicts are the mess caused by droppings below turkey roosts and damage to vehicles. Turkeys, being able to fly, like to be high during the night. They hang out in roosts and with roosts come droppings. In the woods, the droppings are no problem. Out of sight, out of mind, but in the urban-suburban interface, feces creates problems with aesthetics.
The other problem with turkeys is their tendency to peck at objects when they see their reflection. In this case, your car may suffer paint damage (and one report I heard the turkey broke a side mirror by pecking it) when the turkey(s) pecked at their reflection.
What are the solutions to these problems? Roosts can be resolved by cutting the trees or using pyrotechnics to get the birds to move on. Be sure to consult with local authorities before shooting off pyrotechnics. Also never use frightening devices when eggs or young are present. The latter problem can be resolved or at least minimized by not washing your car as often or keeping a dog nearby to keep the birds away from your car.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.