Manhattan's Wild Turkey Out-Runs The Cops — Again

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A wild turkey loose in Manhattan has escaped the cops once again, New York City Police Department officials told Patch on Thursday.

According to the NYPD, the turkey was spotted around 5 p.m. on the Upper East Side at 66th Street and Third Avenue, resting in a tree.

When police arrived, an emergency services unit attempted to catch her in a net, but she flew away, authorities said.

The turkey, named Astoria, is a local celebrity on Roosevelt Island but crossed the East River on Sunday and has been exploring Manhattan ever since.

Wednesday evening's attempted capture was Astoria's fifth run-in with the NYPD this week, David Barrett, an Upper East Sider who runs the Manhattan Bird Alert Twitter account, said.

Earlier on Wednesday, she was spotted foraging in some mini hedges along an Upper East Side apartment building, where a Good Samaritan had placed some mealworms in a dish for her, according to the Manhattan Bird Alert.

Barrett told Patch that people who find Astoria should not call 911 or animal control, as it can do more harm than good.

"These capture attempts imperil Astoria's life and discourage her from coming to the ground and foraging for the food she needs to survive," Barrett said.

Though Manhattan may be an interesting change of scenery for Astoria, it is not in her best interest to stay there, due to the perpetual threat of fast cars and dogs, Barrett said.

"We're all hoping she goes back to Roosevelt Island as soon as possible because she has a great life there," Barrett told Patch, adding that the roadways on Roosevelt Island have special "turkey crossing" signs and dog-free yards for Astoria to roam.

"It's a place where she has people who take care of her and provide for her."

For whoever finds Astoria next, Barrett recommends reaching out to the birders of Manhattan Bird Alert on Twitter, who take care of her on Roosevelt Island.

If you see Astoria, please email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.