FOLLOWUP: New home for Hedda Gobbler, the latest West Seattle turkey

We can finally say conclusively that the turkey recently seen in West Seattle is NOT the turkey that spent a year wandering the peninsula. That’s been confirmed by both this turkey’s adoptive family and the person who built an enclosure for her in their yard. They sent photos, including the one above, and this report:

Hedda Gobbler is no longer wandering the street. She has found a safe home away from cars and dogs. For all those who wanted to believe she was a wild turkey, you were wrong. Hedda is a domestic bird not able to keep herself safe because she is a bit of a bird brain. She is very content and enjoying the good life in a forever home where Thanksgiving dinner will never be turkey again.

Hedda’s favorite food is cantaloupe.

– Hedda’s Forever Family

19 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: New home for Hedda Gobbler, the latest West Seattle turkey"

  • Ashley July 31, 2021 (11:35 am)

    Enjoy your forever home (and the cantaloupe!), Hedda :)

  • Gobble gobble July 31, 2021 (12:37 pm)

    What a sweet post!  Love you, Hedda – and your kind family! 

  • pelicans July 31, 2021 (1:05 pm)

    Am so happy she found a forever home and is no longer wandering lonely. But how can they tell for sure she is not the same bird? 

    • M July 31, 2021 (4:08 pm)

      The coloring is different.

  • Mellow Kitty July 31, 2021 (1:24 pm)

  • WSCurmudgeon July 31, 2021 (1:27 pm)

    One hopes that this Hedda comes to a happier end than the character after whom she is named.

    • Jay July 31, 2021 (4:04 pm)

      Good one! And curmudgeonly in the best way.

  • old timer July 31, 2021 (2:46 pm)

    Much appreciated sign of sweet caring during these insane days. Thank you!

  • Wild Tom July 31, 2021 (8:43 pm)

    Sounds like a great and caring action, but it leaves me all the more turkey confused.  How does this Domesticated Turkey hen differ from TWST?   I greatly enjoyed the exploits of TWST and was bowled over when she showed up in our yard.  They appear similar to this layman, but I thought TWST was a Wild Turkey hen?   I assumed TWST being wild, had flown in from the wilds!Was Hedda a runaway/flyaway escaped Domesticated Turkey under some other humans’ care or was she born in the wild and somehow ended up in West Seattle?I would love to hear more of the story of Hedda Gobbler and how Hedda chose her caged forever home?

    • JJ August 1, 2021 (10:34 am)

      Why did you assume TWST was wild? We don’t have wild turkeys out here on the coast. I had always assumed she was a particularly clever run away.

    • Hedda's Family August 1, 2021 (11:29 am)

      To our knowledge Hedda was being raised at a house a few blocks away who failed to look and capture her for her own well being and was out fending for herself.  We decided enough was enough and didn’t want to see her hit by a car or attacked by dogs or other creatures and went to the expense of creating a forever home for her.

  • Hedda Fan July 31, 2021 (9:54 pm)

    During a period after 4th of July I had been seeing Hedda roosting on the front porch railing of a couple of houses on 42nd Ave and worried about her plight.  I’m so glad to see someone has taken her in and given her a home.  Some people may romanticize an animal roaming loose in the city, but humans tend to be exceptionally stupid and cruel when it comes to animals (among other things) and she will no doubt have a happier (and most likely longer) life with a safe place to live.

  • Yma August 1, 2021 (6:02 am)

    Can we visit?

  • biankat August 1, 2021 (8:45 am)

    Wonderful :) Thanks for giving lovely Hedda a home.

  • just wondering August 1, 2021 (9:18 am)

    How about a story contest about where she came from?

  • anonyme August 1, 2021 (9:30 am)

    I don’t see how it could be legal to allow domesticated fowl to roam freely, but the law is vague on this.  Maybe the assumption is that anyone with a modicum of common sense would not allow a turkey (or other fowl) to roam the streets, but responsibility and logic are traits that can no longer be taken for granted.  There used to be some fool in Arbor Heights who allowed a macaw to fly freely.  I saw it almost get hit by a car, and it would have made colorful bait for an eagle.  Anyway, I’m glad the turkey found a safe home.

    • Wild Tom August 1, 2021 (10:50 pm)

      I wonder how we react so differently to various domesticated animals roaming freely?Especially in this ironic context, when domesticated cats are illegally allowed to roam freely killing millions of birds.  Would these same people be gathering up roaming cats whose owners were allowing them out on the street to secure them in a forever home where they will be safer and more happy?  I also wonder of the status of the owners of the soon to be named Hedda.   Were they aware and did they agree to allowing their pet turkey to become the property of someone else?I was a long time parrot owner, but my perception of what is the proper home for any bird has changed.  

  • Scubafrog August 1, 2021 (3:27 pm)

    That’s consoling to know.  As nice at is to see photos of the majestic turkeys, I always worry about their health and safety  (and wonder if some rogue will nab them for woefully-misguided attempt at a meal).  Hedda’s home now, and safe.   A caring person(s) came to her aid, and now she can forage freely.   Be well, Hedda and family!

  • Kato August 3, 2021 (7:00 am)

    Yay. I helped her move in 😄🦃

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