The turkey and the fox (neighborhood, camp, beach)

[Acadianlion]

We had a fox come into the yard this morning. I am very much concerned about the foxes in the neighborhood because we have three cats. Generally if the cats know the fox is around, they can easily get up high before the fox can catch them.

But this morning Terrence, the wild turkey who has adopted us was out in the front yard. The fox was VERY much interested in Terrance, and was coming up to him at just the time that I ran out the door and chased the fox away.

What happened next was really curious. The fox ran down the beach but came back through the woods, and Terrance wanted to go after the fox.

Question for all you woods wise guys out there: will a turkey take on a fox?

This Turkey was not particularly afraid of the fox or concerned, and in fact, seemed to want to go right after it. This was not a huge fox, and Terrence is a pretty big turkey.

Thoughts?

[Elcarim]

You go, Terrence!! I'm curious if Terrence ruffled his feathers when he went after the fox.

[Maine Writer]

Yes they will. Spurs and wings can do some damage but the fox could win, especially with a young bird.

Somewhat related - I asked my male farmcollie to put the turkeys in one afternoon last fall. Four jakes ganged up on him. He stays away from all of them now. They pulled it once on my more aggressive female. They left her alone after she pulled a lot of feathers. They went to freezer camp so they aren't a problem anymore.

[Acadianlion]

Update. The fox is interested in eating the bird seed that has fallen to the ground from the bird feeders, as well as the corn and seed scratch feed that we throw out for Terrence the Turkey.

The fox may be too young to be more than curious about the Turkey, and the Turkey doesn't appear to be particularly worried about the fox. The Turkey has prodigious weapons, of course, and is about three or more times the size of the fox in appearance. Perhaps size DOES matter!

When I go outside to chase the fox away, the Turkey follows right behind me, chirruping as we go along.

The whole episode is surreal! The fox knows there is food in the yard, but so far, doesn't appear to be convinced that that food is turkey. Maybe its a vegetarian fox. Maybe its a tree loving fox. Maybe the fox doesn't run through the woods, but drives a Prius? Who knows?

[7th generation]

Three years ago a Tom held off a bobcat in the Foster farm's hayfield, spurring the heck out of it. Bunch of people pulled over to watch.
So yes, a fox is no match for la turkey unless he is creative and catches the ole bird off guard.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Update. The fox is interested in eating the bird seed that has fallen to the ground from the bird feeders, as well as the corn and seed scratch feed that we throw out for Terrence the Turkey.

The fox may be too young to be more than curious about the Turkey, and the Turkey doesn't appear to be particularly worried about the fox. The Turkey has prodigious weapons, of course, and is about three or more times the size of the fox in appearance. Perhaps size DOES matter!

When I go outside to chase the fox away, the Turkey follows right behind me, chirruping as we go along.

The whole episode is surreal! The fox knows there is food in the yard, but so far, doesn't appear to be convinced that that food is turkey. Maybe its a vegetarian fox. Maybe its a tree loving fox. Maybe the fox doesn't run through the woods, but drives a Prius? Who knows?

"Fox" tends to be a conservative term.