Perhaps surprisingly, turkey toms can inflict some pain using their wings as well! Long ago, I helped investigate a then-nearly-unknown population of Peregrines breeding in the extremely “cliffy” Sierra Madre Oriental in northeastern Mexico (headed up by Grainger Hunt, then of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute). We were based in a rented 1-room adobe in a small town. The neighbors had a big tom turkey that would often display at, and attack, us as we sat outside. Given the opportunity, he would not only jump up and lash out with his spurs, but would also slash forward with his bent wings. When he made contact with his bony “wrists” (all those reduced finger bones crammed together), it hurt pretty good. Fun times!
Category Archives: Listserv Posts
Re: A cautionary tale
I’m so sorry for your misadventure, Tom. Your cautionary tale is valuable to me. I’ve photographed the Dry Creek Cemetery flock of wild turkeys several times. Once, after shooting upright for 10 minutes, I laid down on the ground for a more dramatic view. I spoke quietly to the turkeys as they slowly came up to inspect me. When they got about six feet away, though, I started to wonder if I’d made a poor choice, if turkey aggression was going to find me in a pickle. I slowly got up and they slowly wandered off. I have a longer lens now and going forward, won’t attempt to get up close and personal with the big fowl.
Kevin Merrell
Garden City
Re: A cautionary tale
Bad morning typing!! Flock is 60 and they respect dog, who’s big scatters them. She as does feeder guarding.
Bill
Re: A cautionary tale
We have a flock f about 0 overwintering by us, attracted to fields, sunflower seed feeder and corn we throw way down driveway.. No signs of aggression ever. Of course we usually have a stick for balance outside and they repeat the Great Pyrenees, who never far away.
Bill Moore
Hoot Owl Inkom
Re: A cautionary tale
Tom, I hope you took your somewhat ‘minor’ wounds seriously, as they could result in a number of infections. Glad you are okay, in general, and shared this scarey experience with us. We’ve had several roaming our neighborhood since last fall.
Best,
Virginia Rivers
A cautionary tale
The other day, I finished my ride without having encountered any Wild Turkeys. So, when I heard there was a flock on Harrison Boulevard, I walked over. I hung around for a while, but then the Tom started working his way over to me. I started backing away, but
apparently not fast enough. The bird got closer and closer, and let out some classic turkey calls. The rest of the flock started moving from the front yard, where they had been hanging out for some time, while the Tom kept moving towards me.
apparently not fast enough. The bird got closer and closer, and let out some classic turkey calls. The rest of the flock started moving from the front yard, where they had been hanging out for some time, while the Tom kept moving towards me.
As I backed up, someone behind me spoke, and I started to turn when the Tom jumped up and attacked me with his clawed feet. I got my hands up quickly enough that he didn’t get my face, but he punctured both of my hands. I kept backing away, while waving my
gloves at him, but he didn’t give up on his shepherding me until I backed down the alley, going south, while the flock was moving north. In hindsight the injuries were minor, but the experience was quite scary. I guess I thought he would only strut and not
attack.
gloves at him, but he didn’t give up on his shepherding me until I backed down the alley, going south, while the flock was moving north. In hindsight the injuries were minor, but the experience was quite scary. I guess I thought he would only strut and not
attack.
I’ve attached a photo I took shortly before he went into attack mode.
Tom McCabe, Boise
Re: Red-breasted Merganser
There has been a single pair over the past few years here around Barber Park but not this year.
Beautiful bird!
Re: Red-breasted Merganser
My wife and I found the red breasted merganser on the northern most pond at Esther Simplot this morning. Long range shot and less than ideal lighting, but enough detail for
positive ID. Don’t think we have ever seen one in town before, either. Thanks for the head up, Tom.
Tom Soniville
Hoot Owl Arrivals
Recent birds showing up:
Couple Bald Eagles working the hills off and on, see them every few days,
Juncos returned, don’t see them often in winter,
Flickers,
Rosyfinches returned today, several.
Redwings, Grosbeaks, magpies, goldfinches, Hairy Woodpecker, siskens, chickadees, and fellow travelers gobs of Turkeys.
Bill Moore
Hoot Owl
Inkom
Red-breasted Merganser
I’m not sure how common this bird is for everybody else in the Boise area, but I only rarely see them. So, I was quite pleased and surprised when I found a pair at the back pond at Esther Simplot Park. This
is the pond that parallels the Veterans Park Pond and is divided from VPP by a ditch and a pair of embankments. I first noticed the birds yesterday when looking at a bunch of Common Mergansers and a few Hooded. I can’t remember ever seeing all 3 species hanging
out in the same location, so an even bigger treat.
Anyway, if they’re on your must-see list, you now know where to find them.
Tom McCabe, Boise