THE WEST SEATTLE TURKEY: Snow-survival secret

Almost nine months after The West Seattle Turkey showed up on the peninsula, it’s out in the cold … so some fans were worried. Along with this photo posted in a comment, we have an update from Lauren, along with the photos above and below. Lauren reports, “In case anyone’s worried about how the West Seattle Turkey is faring during these snowy days, the answer is just fine. It took refuge in our chicken run while the snow came down.”

Thanks to Lauren and everyone else who’s shared turkey sightings – some unusual, from a parking garage to a tower crane! The Turkey’s origins remain, to date, a mystery.

28 Replies to "THE WEST SEATTLE TURKEY: Snow-survival secret"

  • Ice January 15, 2020 (9:32 pm)

    I wonder if this turkey knows how famous it is.

  • hottamale January 15, 2020 (11:38 pm)

    So cute. 

  • miws January 16, 2020 (5:19 am)

    That first pic gives a clue as to how TWST stays warm during these cold snaps. Just like many of us; Down Comforters… —Mike

  • Jackie W January 16, 2020 (5:44 am)

    Thank you for the pictures . A lot of us were worried about West Seattle’s famous turkey  . !

  • wssz January 16, 2020 (5:46 am)

    Wild turkeys are known for being extremely smart. This is a female, so ideally “she” instead of “it.”

    Some good information about this species can be found at Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website — https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wild_Turkey/species-compare/65615281

    • loady January 16, 2020 (8:15 am)

      WSSZ, Thank you for your knowledge

  • Lisa January 16, 2020 (6:06 am)

    I love it!!!!

  • heyalki January 16, 2020 (7:55 am)

    your chicken run has ducks in it! :)

  • RayWest January 16, 2020 (8:01 am)

    Thanks for the update. I was wondering about how it was doing. I mostly worry that coyotes will get it.

  • M January 16, 2020 (8:08 am)

    Thank you for the update. I was hoping she was at Lauren’s house.

  • Glaba January 16, 2020 (10:00 am)

    Now that we know “she” is here to stay, should we have a naming contest, or just stick with ‘The West Seattle Turkey’?

    • WSB January 16, 2020 (10:10 am)

      Personally, I like the fact that many have chosen their own names. In addition to the ones mentioned here over the months – Admiral Belvidere and Tallulah among them – the commenter who posted a photo the other day (linked above) referred to her as “Sue Bird.”

      • OneForAll January 16, 2020 (10:39 am)

        I actually love that WSB has refrained from using the names that some have decided to refer the turkey as. As a WS resident, who has not yet had a chance to meet the turkey, I think it’s unfair for people to name her just because she’s hung out in their yard a few days. It ruins the fun for people like me who enjoy the sightings and want to feel a part of her journey here. Nobody owns the turkey so don’t name her cause there is no way everyone will be able to agree. She should continue to be referred to as The West Seattle Turkey so that everyone can enjoy her presence in our neighborhood!

        • rpo January 16, 2020 (12:56 pm)

          I’m gonna steal the turkey and rename her!

    • Sarah January 16, 2020 (10:42 am)

      Love this idea!

    • DRS January 17, 2020 (12:44 am)

      If history has taught us anything it’s that a naming contest will inevitably result in her being named Turkey McTurkeyface. 

  • Yma January 16, 2020 (10:28 am)

    In our documentation, I think West Seattle Turkey is great. For the neighbors she visits, each & every one can give her a moniker.now – what I request – is a turkey watch, kinda like the orca watch. I would love to see this bird.

  • ACG January 16, 2020 (10:59 am)

    I wouldn’t publicize the exact whereabouts of the WST too much. I’m still worried those Vashon Island folks will catch wind of it and will pull another bird napping heist, just as they came and took the Lincoln Park Geese a few years ago. My kids to this day still miss seeing the geese at Cove Park. 

    • newnative January 16, 2020 (12:24 pm)

      I’m sure the geese don’t miss being harassed by children, dogs or cars. 

      • Marianne January 17, 2020 (5:53 pm)

        Or having their goslings run over by cars…

  • BlairJ January 16, 2020 (11:03 am)

    If she ever gets down to my neighborhood I think I’ll call her “Cranberry”.

  • Caitlin January 16, 2020 (12:46 pm)

    I’m more invested in this turkey than I could have ever imagined. I need to stop making fun of Parks and Recreation characters loving Lil’ Sebastian so much.

    • Jeri January 16, 2020 (8:57 pm)

      @Caitlin…THIS cracked me UP!!

  • TWST January 16, 2020 (8:49 pm)

    I’ve nicknamed her ‘Free Bird’

  • Mark January 17, 2020 (7:28 am)

    Seems like a lonely existence without another.  Can’t someone introduce him/her to another Turkey.

  • Tim January 17, 2020 (12:25 pm)

    If someone would make a West Seattle Turkey T Shirt I would buy one for sure!

  • Kathy January 18, 2020 (2:05 pm)

    My 2 back yard chickens are free range but have a coop with an open door. However, one chicken (a buff Polish) refuses to sleep in the coop with the other and instead roosts on top of the coop. When she got snowed on, she didn’t want to jump down into the snow in the morning, so I lifted her down to the shoveled walk and gave her some warm oatmeal with sour cream. The next night I lured her into the coop with warm oatmeal and they made peace for that cold night. But the following night she was back up on the roof again, and probably will keep doing so, wet or dry, regardless of weather. I think birds’ feet are designed to be not too sensitive to cold and their feathers give them plenty of insulation.

    • SDS January 18, 2020 (3:52 pm)

      Kathy, maybe you can build her a small cover on top of the coop..who knew chickens were so stubborn! :>)

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