WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: Now a third roaming guinea fowl!

When we first heard one year ago about the Guinea Fowl (no, they’re not turkeys) roaming north of The Junction, there were four. Most of the sightings and photos we’ve received since then were of just two. Then this week, we started hearing from people about sightings of three – and today, we finally received a photo (thanks, Mariya!). To recap, the birds are reported to have a home, but they roam during the day and have often been seen on the east side of the Junction business district – sometimes in the street. The Seattle Animal Shelter told us last spring they had tried to capture them, but were not successful.

Lisa September 19, 2024 (2:44 pm)

I saw an adult with 2 babies yesterday at 39th and Dakota.

Neighbor September 19, 2024 (3:19 pm)

Unfortunately, as a result of these birds being allowed to roam freely in a busy urban neighborhood, one of the original pair was hit by a car and died. The owners apparently decided they should add these two new birds and clearly change nothing else about their “habitat.” I personally find it sad and hope Animal Control can capture and rehome.

Admiral Lee September 19, 2024 (3:42 pm)

I agree. I don’t understand why Animal Control doesn’t step in and capture them and remove from terrible owners who do nothing to keep them safe. Owners should be fined!
Omg that’s so sad but not surprising September 19, 2024 (3:48 pm)

People were commenting for months for the owner to keep them secure so this wouldn’t happen. Sadly the animals pay the price. Even if Animal control can’t catch them they should cite the owners. Irresponsible owner should be ashamed!
Raa September 19, 2024 (4:02 pm)

That bums me out and is not a surprise. How hard is it to just pen-in your yard?
www September 19, 2024 (4:07 pm)

I agree. They are not native birds. They are birds splat waiting to happen.
Bradley September 19, 2024 (6:45 pm)

Oh goodness gracious. Should we lock up the squirrels and birds that get hit by cars too? It’s the call of the wild. Where’s the line on pets vs nature.
- Ferns September 20, 2024 (3:38 am)
  
  That line is probably the difference between native wildlife and pets/livestock people purchase yet refuse to contain on their own property… like these guinea fowl!
  - Terri September 22, 2024 (12:52 pm)
    
    Exactly
- Julian September 20, 2024 (5:23 am)
  
  I think the line is whether they’re owned or naturally exist in the habitat they’re in, Bradley. In this case it’s the former.

RayWest September 19, 2024 (4:35 pm)

Besides the danger of cars, do the owners have any concerns about coyotes getting them? This seems pretty irresponsible.

wsgal September 19, 2024 (4:41 pm)

I wish the owners would keep them safe in a pen at home… I saw some teenagers chasing them down the street a few weeks back, felt so horrible for them.

AO September 19, 2024 (4:53 pm)

DRW September 19, 2024 (5:26 pm)

Urban Farmer September 19, 2024 (6:31 pm)

Guinea fowl can fly and can run fairly fast. That’s probably why animal control couldn’t catch them. They usually escape any predators or naughty teenagers. I lived in a dense urban area with wild turkeys. They didn’t bother anyone, ate a lot of bugs and slugs, and added entertainment to the neighborhood.

DeeljonJ24 September 21, 2024 (9:27 pm)

Guinea hens may have their wings clipped if they’re domestic.Theyre not wild birds and this is not “nature” unfolding.Wild turkeys have evolved to live on the edge of urban areas, its their normal habitat. They’re overpopulated in many areas due to the disappearance of natural predators.Apples to oranges

Oerthehillz September 19, 2024 (6:38 pm)

What about all the cats that are allowed to free roam? And leave their feces in your gardens! Nobody talks about that annoyance enough, which I know is on a much larger scale than these free roam birds. I bet even some of you complaining about these bird owners actually have indoor/outdoor cats.

Neighbor September 19, 2024 (7:23 pm)

For the record, I am also opposed to outdoor cats! Pure correct that they cause a lot of issues. I cannot handle the argument that some cats “won’t” stay inside. We have opposable thumbs, they don’t. We control the doorknobs.

Exhale September 20, 2024 (8:51 am)

Nature is metal.

wsgal September 27, 2024 (8:48 am)

Just saw the birds on 39th and Dakota, it’s only one adolescent with an adult now. Earlier this week I saw all 3, but missing one of the adolescents today.

Sorry, comment time is over.