Wilmington Bird Pits Poultry Versus Police

He’s one of the most defiant residents of Wilmington, yet he doesn’t even have a name. What he does have, however, is plenty of feathers.

If you’ve ever driven in the area of Church Street, you’ve likely seen a stray wild turkey wandering around near the building. And depending on your timing, the local bird may have even held up your travel plans by parking himself in the middle of the road.

“He’s a frequent flyer, so to speak,” said Lt. Joe Desmond with a laugh. “He isn’t too into authority. He’s not afraid of cars, and certainly isn’t afraid of a police cruiser. We’ll go out there and blow the siren and he goes to one side of the road. He does it slowly, but he eventually does it.”

Desmond said dispatchers frequently receive phone calls from residents about the turkey in the road.

But the lieutenant said he doesn’t need a caller to the station to know when they bird is around. Desmond’s office is located on the side of the building where the turkey frequents.

Desmond said that he’ll be working in his office when a distinctive noise cuts through the silence.

“I’ll hear him below my window cackling at cars as they go by,” said Desmond. “It’s like he thinks they’re on his turf.”

It’s been a few days since Desmond spotted the local jailbird, but he said he has a hunch that he’ll be returning soon.

“For some reason he has attached himself to this general area. From the parking lot to Church Street, he’s made it his territory,” said Desmond. “He’s become kind of a fixture. We’ve come to accept it.”

Have you taken photos of the police station turkey? Upload them to this article, and feel free to upload any other photos you’ve taken of animals in Wilmington as well.