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To birds,  Molly is the predator that doesn't naturally exist in the area. turkeys and geese still have coyotes and free ranging stray dogs to fear but not nearly to the extent of years past. Consequently,  both species are proliferating.

Although wild turkeys were common in Connecticut when the first settlers arrived and are common today, this was not always the case. Turkeys disappeared from the state by the early 1800s due to clearing of their forest habitat, over hunting (there were no laws to protect them like there are today) and several bad winters which caused many turkeys to starve because they could not find food. By the 1950s, many forests grew back and wildlife biologists and sportsmen began looking for ways to bring the turkey back to Connecticut. In 1975, 22 wild turkeys from New York were live-captured (using a large net carried over the birds by 3 small rockets) and then released in the northwest corner of Connecticut. This population grew to such a large number that they could be captured and moved to other towns. Now, between 18,000 to 25,000 wild turkeys are found throughout the state.

Are wild turkeys dangerous?

I know from the encounters that Molly and I have had,  that  wild turkeys run or fly away from us.  Molly stalks and flushes them in the same way that she works geese.   But they stand their ground much longer and sometimes charge us.  But they will finally depart.  So I wondered if they are or could be dangerous to someone without Molly at their side. After a little surfing on the web I found the following:

Unruly turkeys!

"Unruly wild turkeys are causing problems for residents in Cranford, New Jersey. The Cranford police department says a 13-year-old girl was chased by a pack of the wild birds at the beginning of the month. In another incident, a letter carrier was forced to kill a bird with a stick when a group of turkeys surrounded his truck. Police also are fielding calls about other attacks. The incidents are happening in residential neighborhoods that border wooded areas. The area humane society is dealing with the problem."

I found other references to wild turkey unruliness --- this  summarizes what I have read.  What have you experienced? If you have a story, email me at kendrix.a@snet .  At any rate Molly and I can help you with your wild turkey problems.

 

More Q& As

On Bird Flu

Though Bird Flu is moving rapidly from country to country, it has not arrived on our shores  --- our local geese population likely harbor non-lethal A Type Flu naturally in their intestines.  Geese are not affected by this.  The following questions and answers refer to all Type A flus including Bird Flu.

Q: It is  understood that this virus is passed from bird to bird.  But just how can it be passed from bird to human --- is it air borne?

A: Humans who have been infected have had contact with blood, feces and other secretions. There is no risk with cooked poultry products.

Q: Can the virus spread through bird droppings?

A: Yes it can, and in Europe where contaminated chicken feces are used as a fertilizer, the practice has lead to the spread virus and the spread of infection has even led back to wild birds, since poultry can be used as a fertilizer in ponds and waterways.

Q: Does the virus stay alive on handrails or other places where birds have been?

A:  Yes, the virus can stay alive, but only for several hours.  In different environments though, such as a cold pond, it can stay alive for days.