What to know
- A wild turkey has become an unexpected local celebrity after repeatedly being spotted around Mississauga’s Hillcrest Avenue and Confederation Parkway.
- City officials say there have been three reported sightings since April and no aggressive behaviour has been reported.
- Residents are being urged not to feed or approach the turkey to prevent it from becoming accustomed to humans.
- If you encounter the bird, the city recommends staying calm, keeping pets leashed and giving it plenty of space.
Move over raccoons and coyotes—Mississauga has a new local celebrity, and it’s a wild turkey that’s been delighting residents across social media.
After numerous wildlife sightings, including Jimothy the Raccoon, Bunny, the tailless coyote, Conrad the raccoon, and a squirrel, a wild turkey also found fame.
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- Toronto’s tailless coyote dubbed ‘Bunny’ is stealing hearts, but city warns public to keep distance
- From trash panda to Toronto legend: Conrad the raccoon gets a plaque
- ‘Cheers brother,’ Squirrel causes power outage in Toronto’s Finance District
The currently unnamed wild turkey is appearing in odd spots, making Mississauga residents giggle around the city.
The City of Mississauga advises not to feed wild turkeys
A City of Mississauga spokesperson told Now Toronto that Animal Services received three reports of wild turkey sightings in the Hillcrest Avenue and Confederation Parkway area in April 2026.
Despite the sightings dating back a few months, posts about the wild turkey have brought the animal back into the spotlight.
The City reported that there has been no concerning or aggressive behaviour at this time, but that it is still suggested to avoid feeding wild turkeys.
“Like most wildlife, wild turkeys can become food-conditioned when intentionally fed by people,” the spokesperson explained. “Over time, they may learn to associate humans with food, which can lead to bolder behaviour as they seek out additional feeding opportunities.
So, the City reminds residents not to feed wildlife and to minimize food sources, including overflowing garbage, unprotected vegetable gardens, spilled birdseed or fallen fruit.
If sighting a wild turkey, residents are advised to remain calm, not run away, make themselves appear larger, and keep pets on a leash.
Additional information on wild birds and wildlife feeding is available on the City of Mississauga’s website:
While the turkey may be Mississauga’s latest viral animal, it’s far from the first urban wildlife celebrity in the GTA. In recent years, animals like Jimothy the raccoon, Bunny the tailless coyote, Conrad the raccoon and even a squirrel blamed for a downtown Toronto power outage have all attracted devoted online followings, highlighting the fascination many residents have with the wildlife living alongside them.
