On Thursday, a turkey escaped from a Sacramento County yard and wandered into the street. Deputies Lang and Mason-Burrows tracked the bird and returned it to its owner. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office shared the story on X with a Thanksgiving greeting.
Not your everyday call for service… Deputies recently responded to a report of a turkey that had apparently taken itself on a little neighborhood walkabout. The caller said their neighbor had the family bird in their coop; but when Deputies Lang and Mason-Burrows arrived they were told the neighbor actually found the turkey wandering in the street. The bird was safely returned to its rightful home. We wish everyone a safe Thanksgiving!
— Sacramento County Sheriff's Office (@sacsheriff) November 27, 2025
Deputies Track Down A Runaway Bird
Deputies Lang and Mason-Burrows returned a turkey wandering in a Sacramento street to its family’s coop. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office shared the story on X, wishing residents a safe Thanksgiving and joking about the bird nearly becoming a “holiday dinner.”
Why Turkeys Wander Into Neighborhoods
Wild turkeys and the occasional escaped domestic bird can end up roaming neighborhood streets when easy food, watered lawns, and nearby cover make residential areas an appealing stop. As turkey populations rebound, experts say sightings in town have become more common, especially around the holidays, and they caution residents not to feed the birds so they do not become too comfortable around people.
Who To Call If A Turkey Shows Up
If a wandering turkey struts onto your property, contact Sacramento County Animal Care Services during business hours at (916) 368-7387. After hours, residents can call 311 for assistance.
For non-emergency situations that might involve public safety, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line is (916) 874-5115. Officials remind residents that 911 should be used only for immediate threats.
