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Fully grown male turkeys have become a traffic hazard in Michigan, with incidents of them blocking traffic and interrupting commutes. Turkeys were reintroduced to the area in the 1950s and there are now around 200,000 statewide, with sightings recently increasing due to the spring breeding season. Wayne Petersen from the Massachusetts Audubon Society advises people not to show fear towards aggressive turkeys, but instead to wave their arms, clap their hands, and move towards the bird to intimidate it.
Unusual Traffic Hazard: Fully Grown Turkey Halts Traffic in Michigan
In Michigan, wildlife hazards are not an unusual occurrence, with most common run-ins involving deer. However, a recent incident saw a male turkey creating a different kind of traffic obstacle on Carpenter Rd. The turkey, surprisingly unintimidated, stood its ground against a full-sized SUV.
This incident was not a solitary event. In the past, a notably aggressive turkey has disrupted traffic, even attempting to board campus buses before being relocated. Whittaker the Turkey, a local folk hero in Ypsilanti Township, consistently disrupted traffic at the circle of Whittaker and Textile roads until sadly meeting his end in a traffic accident in 2017.
According to Audubon Great Lakes, there are approximately 200,000 turkeys in Michigan since their reintroduction in the 1950s. The active season of these birds coincides with spring, due to a hormonal response to the lengthening days. This is likely why sightings, such as those reported at the Barnes & Noble parking lot and the traffic circle at Geddes and Superior roads, are increasing.
When encountering an aggressive turkey, the Massachusetts Audubon Society suggests showing no fear. Wayne Petersen advises waving arms, clapping hands, and moving towards the turkey to intimidate it “without too much problem”.
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