A New Jersey man commuting along Route 46 thought he hit a pothole—until glass exploded in his face and he realized a wild turkey had just smashed through his windshield at full speed.
The driver was doing about 88 kph (55 mph) when the airborne bird slammed through the glass and landed halfway in the front seat, wings flapping and feathers flying. No, this wasn’t Thanksgiving coming early. It was a full-grown wild turkey, and it was not happy.
The Turkey Lived, the Dashboard Didn’t
Somehow, the bird survived the crash. It thrashed around the front of the car, breaking the dashboard and spilling a cup of coffee. The driver pulled over and called 911, telling the dispatcher, “There’s a turkey in my car. Like, in my car.”
Emergency responders arrived expecting a bad crash. What they found was a completely unharmed driver and one very annoyed bird wedged between the seats. Animal control officers were able to safely capture the turkey and later released it into a wooded area nearby.
Not As Rare As You’d Think
Believe it or not, this wasn’t a one-time freak incident. Wild turkey populations have boomed in several U.S. states, especially in the Northeast and Midwest. These birds, which can weigh up to 11 kilograms (25 pounds), are known to cross roads in flocks, peck at their reflections in cars, and even fly low over traffic.
They’re fast, too—running up to 32 kph (20 mph) on land and flying as high as 18 meters (60 feet) into the air. And when they panic? They go full chaos mode.
Driving Through Wild Turkey Territory
Wildlife experts say that as suburban areas expand, encounters like this are only going to increase. The birds are smart, bold, and not afraid to test boundaries—especially during spring mating season when males get aggressive and territorial.
Drivers are advised to slow down near wooded areas, especially during early morning or dusk when turkey activity is highest. And if one ever comes through your windshield? Do what this driver did: stay calm, pull over, and call for backup.
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