Angry birds: town tries to rein in rowdy turkeys
California turkeys harassing residents, blocking traffic and eating landscaping
Leaders of a California college town are working to relocate turkeys that have been harassing people on the streets, blocking traffic and eating up landscaped gardens.
The Sacramento Bee reports that the Davis, Calif., city council voted this week to approve a wild turkey management plan that includes trapping and relocating many of the birds — and possibly killing some of the more aggressive ones.
It also called for an ordinance prohibiting people from feeding the turkeys.
"They're living on fantasy island here," city wildlife resource specialist John McNerny said. "They have everything they need."
Davis residents are fond of urban wildlife. They built a tunnel for toads and protected jackrabbits from construction, but the well-known turkeys wandering the streets are too much.
Police Chief Darren Pytel says his department has fielded calls from people accosted by turkeys, including a man who was pinned against the wall of a bank by a bird.
One town councillor said she was told a nine-year-old boy was "terrified" to come downtown because of the turkeys.
The turkeys became a nuisance a decade ago when a flock of 10 settled in the cemetery, chasing visitors and eating flowers left at graves, the Bee reported.