Photo: Courtesy of MassWildlife
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Wild turkeys' breeding season has arrived in Massachusetts, and with it comes an increased risk of encountering aggressive behavior from the birds.
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife published an article on their website detailing the ways humans can avoid antagonizing turkeys and being affected by their behavior.
MassWildlife urged people to never feed turkeys because when they become comfortable around humans, they tend to act more aggressively.
Even bird feeders might attract turkeys and encourage a reliance on people, so officials recommended that birdwatchers try landscaping with native plants or using a water feature to attract birds instead.
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During their breeding season, which runs from March through May, male turkeys try to establish social dominance within their flock by puffing out their feathers, fanning their tails, and strutting while making vocalizations like gobbling.
Turkeys also might try to dominate or attack people to establish dominance, MassWildlife said, or respond aggressively to shiny objects like windows or vehicles if they see their reflection as a rival turkey.
Photo: Courtesy of Dedham Animal Control
And that’s exactly what happened in early April in Westwood.
Dedham Animal Control reported that a turkey smashed through an office building window, mistaking his reflection for a mating competitor.
The turkey wasn’t harmed by the incident and was released into the nearby woods.
MassWildlife explained that if people are approached by aggressive turkeys, they are encouraged to scare or threaten them with loud noises or a water hose.
Officials added that the 2024 Spring Turkey Hunting Season begins on April 29 and runs until May 25.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jared Brosnan reports.
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