A male turkey, also known as a tom, struts his stuff. The feathers protruding from his chest are known as a beard. Photo: Rebecca Peterson
Your wildest questions about our festive feathered friends get answered.
Edina has turkeys. Lots of them. And not just the ones destined for your Thanksgiving table. Wild turkeys are a familiar sight throughout the city, roaming neighborhoods and parks and strolling down streets in groups. Edina Police’s animal control officer Tim Hunter estimates there are up to more than 1,000 turkeys in Edina. We asked Hunter what residents should know about their feathered neighbors and how everyone can peacefully coexist.
Why are there so many wild turkeys in Edina? I see flocks of up to 30, and I see individuals and groups of two to five. They’re all over the city from 44th [Street] and France [Avenue] to Braemar Golf Course and everywhere in between. I’ve often joked it’s Minnesota [Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR)]’s most wildly successful reintroduction ever. At one point in history, they were almost wiped out. The DNR brought them back, and they’re spreading.
Edina resident Heather Heier found a turkey on her roof. Flocks often find their way to her lawn on France Avenue South. Photos: Heather Heier
Why do they like Edina? We have a lot of wooded areas with trees, bushes, foliage. It’s great to roost and wonderful to eat. They have everything they need. At night, turkeys sleep in the trees, and in the morning, they come down and start feeding. They’re looking for worms and grubs and beetles and bugs. They’re scratching flower beds. They’re leaving their calling cards on people’s patios.
What should people do if a turkey doesn’t leave the yard? Chase the turkeys. You never want to back wildlife into a corner. You want to always back them into an escape route. Make sure they always have a way to get away. (Hunter recommends keeping young children away from the wild turkeys.)
Wild turkeys are known for being bold and standing their ground. Why does this happen? Don’t feed them. A lot of people feed them … You’re going to be bringing in unwanted attention, plus they can be destructive to lawns. And if they get on your roof, they can be destructive to your roof. They don’t have good table manners or bathroom manners. Feeding them is unnecessary and not wise. They become acclimated to people, and then they don’t see people as a threat. They will stand in your driveway as you go get the newspaper or block your car. We want them to have a good healthy fear of people. By feeding them, you’re acclimating them to a safe zone. They’re territorial, and they may stand their ground. It’s not a good idea.
Why are some solo turkeys seen in the area? There is one turkey that has been nicknamed Lonely Tom. There are solitary birds. There is a social structure within turkeys. He may have chosen to be on his own, or he may have been ostracized for getting on someone’s nerves.
Wild turkeys are year-round residents, and these toms seem right at home while enjoying a snowy stroll. iStock/RobertWinkler
Can people pick up a wild turkey from their yard or street and cook it? They are a protected game species controlled by the DNR. Edina is not considered a hunting zone. An Edina resident can’t get a hunting stamp with a turkey on it and get it from their backyard. There are legal hunting seasons for wild turkeys. [And] there are specific zones throughout the state where people can hunt them. Edina isn’t one of them.
Are they dangerous? The biggest thing people get hung up on is that they’re big birds and can be intimidating. The birds don’t really have anything that’s going to hurt people … The males have spurs that they can use when they fight. They can give you a good scratch … They can be aggressive. They can be belligerent at certain times of the year.
How can you tell a male from a female? Male turkeys have a beard; it looks like horse hair. It comes out of the center of the chest.
Do you have a flock of turkeys in your part of Edina? Send a photo to edinamag@localmedia.co, or post on Instagram and tag us @edinamag with the hashtag #turkeysofedina.
