Turkey Mating Season

Did you know that wild turkeys are the official game bird of Massachusetts, and they can flourish in both suburban and urban areas? 

The Cambridge Animal Commission recommends the following steps to make your property less attractive to turkeys:

• Don't feed the turkeys.
• Keep bird feeder areas clean.
• Cover windows or other reflective objects. The turkeys have a pecking order and they see the reflection of themselves and believe it is another turkey. 
• Protect your gardens.
• Don’t let turkeys intimidate you. Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten them with loud noises, an open umbrella, or water sprayed from a hose.
• Educate your neighbors. It requires the efforts of the entire neighborhood to help to keep wild turkeys wild.

Wild turkeys that become accustomed to humans and human-associated foods, like bird seed, are likely to lose their fear of people and can cause damage or attempt to dominate people. Once bold behavior is established, it can be very difficult to change. Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten a bold, aggressive turkey with loud noises, waving an umbrella at them, or spraying water from a hose.

Wild turkeys do play an important role in the ecosystem, even in urban environments.  Wild turkeys feed on almost any insects, small rodents, and many plants, helping keep these populations in check.  Wild turkey eggs are prey for larger birds and young pouts are prey for larger birds and carnivorous/omnivorous mammals.

Turkeys are common in Massachusetts and are managed by the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. They are not trapped or removed, but any aggressive, sick, or injured behavior should be reported to (800) 632-8075.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Cambridge Animal Commission at 617-349-4376 or email Cambridge Animal Control

For more information, please visit Prevent conflicts with Turkeys | Mass.gov