Wild Turkeys in our Future

Stopping traffic in Alameda (Oda/ Bay Area News Group)

In addition to the wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, bears, and pigs that are returning to the Bay Area, let's not forget about the wild turkeys.

Today, there are around 250,000 wild turkeys throughout California. They can be found in 49 states across the country – the only state without wild turkeys is Alaska.

“They are a species that can adapt for really anywhere,” said Sebastian Garcia, the California regional director for the National Wild Turkey Foundation.

Several factors may influence the movement and presence of wild turkeys in urban and suburban areas.

For one, when female turkeys nest, they often search for places that are easily concealed by bushes or other vegetation, according to a University of Minnesota study. This may attract them to urban parks or leafy neighborhoods with ample undergrowth.

Additionally, the turkey diet ranges widely, including insects, seeds, fruits, and even mice. Wild turkeys in human-populated settings were documented using available resources for food, such as bird feeders, food plots, acorns, or fruit trees.

The study also found that despite female turkeys’ need for natural spaces, many turkeys actually rely on human-populated, developed areas during the autumn and winter.

Another key factor that draws wild turkeys to urban settings is a sense of safety.

“If they have less bobcats or mountain lions or coyotes – other predators – chasing them, they notice they’re a little bit safer in these neighborhoods,” Garcia said.

March, 2023: "Tom" on Foster City Blvd.

2¼ years ago Foster City was home to a wild turkey. We never did find out what happened to him, but no worries: we are likely to see more of his relatives in the near future.