It was a wild scene this morning at Riverview Elementary. Seems there was a roving band of wild turkeys harassing students this morning.

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I normally don't have to drive by Riverview on my way to work, but today I did and boy was I glad I did. I was at the stop sign by the new apartment buildings next to Riverview when I noticed the turkeys in a yard.  Not being something you normally see every day, I wanted to get a picture.

A flock of Wild Turkeys in a residential yard
Nick Northern
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A Flock of Wild Turkeys

A flock of Wild Turkeys in a residential yard

I wanted the picture because I doubted anyone would believe my story and so I could show my kids.  As I was taking the pictures the school crossing guard started chatting me up.  She told me that the turkeys were chasing the kids on the playground and because of that they brought all the kids inside and locked down the school.

A couple wild turkeys in a residental yard.
Nick Northern
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Wild Turkeys

A couple wild turkeys in a residental yard.

She said it was the craziest Monday she's ever had during her time as a crossing guard.

It begs the question, where did these wild turkeys come from?  Are they actually WILD turkeys or did they escape from someone’s yard? Also I didn't realize you could raise turkeys in town. Chickens have been a hot button issue for a while in Great Falls, but I have not heard of anyone asking to raise turkeys.

A male turkey, also called a gobbler
Nick Northern
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Gobbler

Male turkeys are called gobblers.

I also found out that wild turkeys when in a group are called a flock, while a domesticated group get called a rafter or gang.

I think gang works well to describe these turkeys, and the kids at Riverview would probably agree!

LOOK: 30 fascinating facts about sleep in the animal kingdom