Meleagris gallopavo

When you think of turkeys, what do you think of?

This?

The internet is really full of gif-gold, isn't it?

Or a wild bird terrorizing your neighborhood?

Little did we know that when we bought this house, we were moving into the home turf of a turkey gang.

According to National Geographic, wild turkeys are native to North America, one of only two domesticated birds that can say that.  By the early 20th century, wild turkeys' range was vastly reduced.  But in the 1940s, wild turkey reintroductions had started and now they are everywhere.

And I mean EVERYWHERE, including my front yard.

This hen is pretty harmless, but it's spring, which means the toms are aggressive.  As in, charging Matt when he's on a bike aggressive.  We saw a flock of them surround a car.

Everyone told me that homeownership would bring unexpected challenges, but I didn't imagine they would involve fighting off a turkey.