Having a bad hair day?
Apparently you’re not the only one…This wild turkey, spotted near Walnut & Marshall, just discovered that he’s bald!
Vanity withstanding, he is definitely not alone! I was driving away in my Mini after an Open House at my listing in Clayton, when I came around the corner and — to my surprise — found a gang of turkeys (yes, “gang” is the technical term for a group of turkeys)!
I have seen a few gangs here and there around Walnut Creek, and many at the Lafayette Reservoir! This got me thinking: do we have a turkey problem?
Lo and behold, it’s been an issue in the East Bay since the early 2000’s. Apparently, the turkeys continue to move East, oftentimes destroying gardens, nicking paint on cars and leaving cement-like patties of you know what along the way.
Here are a few facts about the wild turkey that were new to me:
- There are almost 7 million wild turkeys nationwide
- They have 5,500 feathers and males have 18 distinct tail feathers
- Ranging from 5-20 pounds, they can run at speeds up to 25 mph and fly at 55 mph
Watch yourself around gangs of turkeys, too! By nature, they have a proud demeanor and protective instincts, with vision three times better than humans – maybe the turkey above couldn’t believe what he was seeing!
So, think twice before trying to score a free Thanksgiving meal when you see these guys on the street.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!