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Astoria the turkey is on the move in NYC — and she might be looking for love
By
Catalina Gonella
and
Phil Corso
Published Apr 14, 2025
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Photo courtesy of David Barrett / @BirdCentralPark on X
By
Catalina Gonella
and
Phil Corso
Published Apr 14, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
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Finding an eligible bachelor in New York City is hard enough.
In Manhattan? Good luck. As a wild turkey? Fuggetaboutit.
That might be what Astoria the wild turkey is going after.
Astoria made her home on Roosevelt Island nearly a year ago. But she’s since flown the coop — and birders think she’s in search of a mate.
David Barrett, the birder behind the Manhattan Bird Alert account on X, said the bird took off from the southern end of Roosevelt Island around 11:20 a.m. on Sunday and landed on the Manhattan shoreline near East 54th Street. He said someone who checks on Astoria every day to make sure she has food and water witnessed her flying across the East River.
“That was a huge event,” Barrett said. “That's the first time Astoria left Roosevelt Island that we know of in almost a year.”
She was later seen wandering around East 56th Street — a far cry from the calm, green spaces of Roosevelt Island. Barrett rushed over as soon as he got word from a friend that she’d been spotted.
“I’m delighted to see her. She’s looking good — but she shouldn’t be here,” he said. “This is a dangerous place for her.”
Astoria’s unexpected arrival drew a small crowd. Even the NYPD showed up to try to help. Neighbors said she eventually flew into a tree to escape the commotion, landing right outside Denise LaVetty’s window.
“I went down to the laundry, and when I came up, I heard people out here and I looked and he was outside my window. So, very exciting for me,” LaVetty said. “I love this stuff.”
She spent her Sunday afternoon watching Astoria from above.
“It only pooped once so far!” she said. “I think that’s it over there.”
David Barrett, who runs the Manhattan Bird Alert account on X, photographs Astoria the wild turkey as she perches in a tree on Manhattan’s East Side.
Catalina Gonella/Gothamist
Barrett and other local birders have been monitoring Astoria since last spring, when she first made headlines for showing up in Midtown. She eventually relocated to Roosevelt Island, which Barrett said is “well suited to a turkey” thanks to its green space, calm traffic and lack of dogs.
But now, as turkey mating season kicks in, Astoria appears to be expanding her range.
“She was calling while doing it, and that’s a sign she was looking for a mate — a male turkey,” Barrett said.
Barrett said she’s unlikely to find one in Manhattan, where she’s believed to be the only wild turkey currently living. And the city streets, he added, aren’t ideal for foraging.
As the sun set on Sunday, Astoria flew from a street tree to one in a secluded private garden. Barrett said she looked to be settling in for the night — but he hopes she makes her way back to Roosevelt Island soon, where he visits her every day.
If you spot her, Barrett is asking New Yorkers to report sightings to @BirdCentralPark on X.
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environment
new york city
public safety
manhattan
queens
Catalina Gonella
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Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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