Revenge of the Birds: Turkeys Run Afoul : Nature: New England town intimidated by a wild flock of 17 led by a fearsome gang leader, Tom. City officials want them all tossed out.

Sue Hovencamp looked out her kitchen window one day and saw a flock of wild turkeys in her garden. She walked out to shoo them away and ended up making a fast retreat.

“The big tom, his feathers went all up and he turned and chased her out of the garden and back to the house,” said her husband, Michael Heath.

In this picturesque New England town, everyone has tales about brushes with the flock. The plucky birds have gone from curious novelties to clucking nuisances since appearing mysteriously last November.

“The Bible says man should have dominion over the wild animals. And this isn’t dominion, believe me. They’re pests,” said Margie Ramsey, 51, who was accosted just down the street without provoking the turkey.

More than 370 years after their ancestors were served up in a Thanksgiving celebration in Plymouth, 45 miles to the east, the turkeys are getting their revenge. The tough birds badger motorists, chase children and block traffic.

Like tiny Bodega Bay, Calif., in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” no one knows why the birds chose Holliston, a town of 13,000 people and century-old homes 20 miles southeast of Boston.

By most accounts, four or five showed up last November. By spring, they had multiplied to about 17. That’s when they started running afoul.

The gang’s leader, a dominant 3-foot-tall male known to residents as Tom, is considered the thug. His behavior isn’t unusual, said wild turkey breeder Paul Bisson.

“That instinct is what helps them out in the wild against foxes and other animals,” he said. “They’ll try to browbeat you with their wings.”

Prodded by wary parents and other residents, town leaders called in the Animal Rescue League of Boston, which captured Tom and six other turkeys a few weeks ago.

About 10 birds remain at large, but residents say none of them is as ornery as Tom. Still, they fear more problems if the others aren’t removed.

The league has been deluged with offers to adopt the seven, but their status as wild turkeys means they can only be taken in by state-licensed bird breeders.

Some consider the turkeys colorful additions to the neat neighborhood. Among them is Robert Herrick, 59, a retiree and handyman who was fond of the troublemaker.

“Tommy was the only one giving people a hard time, and he’s no problem if you show him who’s boss. He’s like any wild animal. If you run away, he’ll chase you.

“They ought to be bringing the preschoolers down here by the busload to see them,” he added. “Show them what the Pilgrims ate 300 years ago.”