WEST SEATTLE TURKEY: School sightings

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

At our West Seattle Bee Festival booth on Saturday, the bird we have uncreatively nicknamed “The West Seattle Turkey” was Topic A with those who stopped by to say hi. So we’re sharing news of three sightings today. Above is a photo sent by Lily this afternoon when the turkey turned up in the 3200 block of Walnut SW, just a bit south of West Seattle High School, where Zoe caught this quick clip:

Zoe reports, “The turkey that has been roaming around was behind the woodshop at West Seattle High School this morning. A fun addition to 4th period. And it was still in the area this afternoon – this photo’s from Ray:

Ray saw it this afternoon on the northeast side of the WSHS campus. As Rose reported last week, the turkey seems to have settled in the general east Admiral area. Sightings began in southwest West Seattle three weeks ago. No one’s come forward to say they’re missing a turkey; we’ve checked with the Seattle Animal Shelter and they’re mystified too.

Azimuth May 20, 2019 (7:38 pm)

Pssst… hey turkey… yeah over here. Wanna check out Vashon Island? Just meet me down at Lincoln Park tonight and keep it on the down-low ok?

second that May 20, 2019 (8:01 pm)

Needs a better name Freeda Range best nomination so far

CjM May 20, 2019 (8:17 pm)

Yes please Freeda Range!!!!

Yma May 20, 2019 (9:19 pm)

I’m happy that the turkey is roaming about right now, but I do hope it finds a good home/coop. I just doubt it can survive long on its own- the coyotes will get it & it’s not a native. A very cool beastie – hoping someone can take him in.

Jethro Marx May 20, 2019 (10:05 pm)

She looks like a Wilhemina, although she could be more of a Minerva. Most of the coyotes I’ve seen in West Seattle look like one good beating from Wilhemina/Minerva would do them in. Please don’t try to take her anywhere. It never turned out well for Wile E., after all.
Chuck May 21, 2019 (2:35 pm)

A wild turkey has a very diverse diet (plant tubers, plant and tree seeds, worms, insects, other vegetation) and it looks to be doing just fine. And if the coyotes do get it, well, circle of life. But as a WILD animal, it is hardwired to be on the lookout for said predators and knows just what to do to escape. Every seen a wild turkey take off? It looks like a baby huey helicopter launching for the trees. I’d say her biggest concern is just being on her own; turkeys flock for a reason, and all those extra eyes are a defense mechanism. Still, I bet she is keenly aware of what the starlings, robins and crows are doing on the ground near her. She’s adapting just fine. Freeda be free!