Tuesday, April 22, 2025
More

    Ask an Island Expert: Are those actual wild turkeys walking around?

    Well, yes and no. They are turkeys, certainly: Meleagris gallopavo to ornithologists. But they’re better thought of as feral than as truly wild. Truly wild turkeys were wiped out on the Vineyard, and indeed in Southern New England entirely, in the 19th century; they were too tasty and too easy to hunt for their own good. But in the latter half of the 20th century, turkeys were reintroduced widely into the Northeast from populations that had persisted elsewhere in the U.S. Some of these reintroductions were formal, carried out by government biologists; others, like the reintroduction of this species to the Vineyard, were less tidy — a series of informal releases, augmented by the occasional escape of barnyard birds. This checkered history reveals itself in the form of variable plumage: a good percentage of our turkeys are mottled with patches of white, reflecting mixed ancestry.

    At present, the Island’s feral turkeys must number well up into the hundreds, and meandering flocks of Meleagris can turn up nearly anywhere, including neighborhoods adjacent to Vineyard Haven center. Surprisingly, turkeys often roost in trees. In a sense, it’s pretty cool to have turkeys around: They’re impressive birds with remarkable plumage and dramatic mating displays (males really do puff out their feathers, fan their tails, and gobblegobblegobble). But turkeys are egotistical birds: A flock thinks nothing of stopping traffic as it saunters across a road, and especially if they’ve become accustomed to humans, turkeys can be aggressive and territorial toward people. These are powerful birds, and the wrist joints of their wings can whack you like a baseball bat. You do not want to be attacked by one. So enjoy our turkeys from a distance, don’t feed them, and don’t let them boss you around.

     

    Related Stories

    Discover

    Don’t Miss Events: Oct. – Dec. 2024

      Community Festivals Oct. 12: Fall on the Farm, Farm Institute, Edgartown Enjoy the fall season with...

    Art happenings: Featherstone Center for the Arts

    Summer might be behind us, but Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs...

    ArtCliff Diner: One Cliff I’d definitely go over

    I may never be the same. The ArtCliff Diner just blew my mind. Mixing chickpeas,...

    Off-season at Martha’s Vineyard Film Center

    The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society is one of the Island’s year-round treasures. Founder/executive director...

    On My Way: Hiking Cedar Tree Neck

    Are you looking for a mellow hike of a few hours in a terrain...

    Great stops for sweet treats

    Martha’s Vineyard is known for its natural beauty, the rich and famous, who flock...

    Popular Categories