Wild Turkeys: Tips for Preventing Conflicts and Making Your Property Less Attractive to Turkeys

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

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, using an open umbrella at them, or spraying water from a hose.

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

• Don't feed the turkeys, or any other wildlife.
• 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, bright lights, waving an umbrella at them, or spraying water from a hose.
• Educate your neighbors. It requires the efforts of the entire neighborhood to help to keep wild turkeys wild.

Learn about turkeys
Learn about common problems with wild animals

If you have additional questions, please contact the Cambridge Animal Commission at 617-349-4376 or email animalcommission@cambridgema.gov.