SUTTON PLACE, Manhattan (PIX11) -- As spring progresses, signs of wildlife are becoming more apparent.
However, several New Yorkers were surprised to spot an unusual animal strolling through Midtown Manhattan.
Taylor Siper says she and her husband were out for a stroll with their French Bulldog on the East River Esplanade at around 11 a.m. Sunday, when they came upon a huge bird hanging out on a rail.
"All of a sudden, our dog stopped and was looking up at something," said Siper. "We were looking up in bewilderment, wondering what this bird was, when a lot of people also stopped, and were looking up and concluded it was a wild turkey."
Siper mentions that she has lived in New York City for ten years, and her husband grew up there. However, neither of them had ever seen a turkey in the city, nor did they know that turkeys even existed there.
"We were all nervous that it was going to fall off the rail as it looked scared," she continued. "Luckily, it jumped safely into the park on 55th. Not sure where its whereabouts are now, but assuming it is wandering around Sutton Place."
Siper ran into the same turkey on East 56th five hours later; however, this time, the bird had attracted a sizeable crowd.
Wild turkeys are rarely seen in Manhattan, but this isn't the first instance in recent memory. In May 2024, a wild turkey nicknamed Astoria was seen trekking across New York City.
Staten Island and the Bronx have wild turkey flocks.
English (US) ·