Though some see them as a nuisance, wild turkeys have been part of Staten Island’s landscape for decades
NEED TO KNOW
- A wild turkey brought an MTA bus to a standstill in Staten Island
- This is one of numerous incidents of the New York City borough’s growing turkey population disrupting traffic
- The bird walked away unfazed from the confrontation, with no injuries reported
One of Staten Island’s most recognizable (and polarizing) residents brought traffic to a brief standstill Wednesday after confidently stepping into a crosswalk directly in front of a New York City MTA bus.
According to SILive, the encounter occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 19, near the corner of Victory Boulevard and Forest Avenue. Bus #8256 came to a full stop as the wild turkey planted itself squarely on the painted crosswalk lines, initiating a head-to-head standoff with the bus.
At one point, the turkey appeared to examine a poster mounted just above the bus’s front bumper advertising the Museum of Sex in Manhattan, noted the report, pausing with what could only be described as mild curiosity. The adult turkey showed little urgency to move, holding up traffic for a short period of time.
The bird reportedly took its time crossing — seemingly unfazed by the waiting bus and perhaps aware that jaywalking enforcement is no longer a pressing concern in New York City…