From Island Icon to Manhattan Turkey Explorer
✨ If you’ve ever strolled the southern tip of Roosevelt Island and spotted a striking wild turkey 🦃pecking around the bushes like she owned the place… then you’ve met Astoria the Turkey—our very own Roosie.
But it seems Roosie is spreading her wings—literally.
Astoria: a Surprise Turkey with Staying Power
No one’s exactly sure how Astoria the Turkey first landed on Roosevelt Island, but she showed up back in late 2021 or early 2022. Wild turkeys aren’t common in our urban landscape, let alone nestled between the FDR and the East River. But there she was—strutting across the promenades, roosting near Southpoint Park, and charming residents like a true local.
She didn’t arrive with a fanfare, but she earned one soon enough.
Islanders affectionately dubbed her Roosie (a playful blend of Roosevelt and turkey), and she quickly became part of the neighborhood’s rhythm. Children pointed her out with delight, joggers paused for photos, and one local even began checking in on her daily, making sure she had enough food and water to feel at home.
But there’s another name she carries—Astoria the Turkey—a moniker first popularized by birdwatcher and local wildlife advocate David Barrett, who has chronicled many of her movements on social media.
Astoria the Wild Turkey flew from Roosevelt Island to the island of Manhattan today, spending much of the day in street trees on 56th Street west of Sutton Place. She then flew to an interior courtyard to get some quiet nighttime rest in a tall tree. 🦃 ❤️ (@BirdCentralPark)
April 14, 2025
And it’s Astoria who recently made headlines.
Roosie (aka Astoria) Takes Manhattan
On Sunday morning, April 14th, around 11:20 a.m., Astoria the Turkey took a surprising leap—launching herself from the southern end of Roosevelt Island and flying across the East River.
She landed on the Manhattan shoreline near East 54th Street, according to Barrett, who witnessed the moment and shared updates online. Someone who checks on her daily confirmed the flight—and just like that, Roosie was no longer only ours.
You can see her majestic citybound flight captured in this Instagram post from Gothamist:
While her journey is adventurous, Barrett notes that Manhattan might not be ideal for a lone turkey like Astoria the Turkey. She’s unlikely to find a mate, and food isn’t as easy to forage amid the traffic and noise.
But maybe that’s the spirit of Astoria—bold, curious, and always a little wild.
Roosie in Our Hearts
Whether you know her as Roosie or Astoria the Turkey, one thing’s for sure: she made her mark on Roosevelt Island. She reminded us that even in a city of millions, there’s room for the unexpected—a reminder that magic still exists on our tree-lined streets and quiet corners.
We’ll keep an eye out for updates, and we’re rooting for you, girl. 💛
Fly safe, Astoria the Turkey. And if Manhattan doesn’t work out… you always have a home right here.
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🔗 Missed our earlier story on Roosie? Catch up here: Roosie, Roosevelt Island’s Resident Turkey
Would you like me to publish this under the “Beats” tag right away? I can also prep a quick social blurb to share it once it goes live!
I Take the Tram Because I Have To
There are people on this Island you learn to recognize long before you ever learn their names. Like the real estate man with the blue goatee, the one whose name I keep forgetting, though I could pick him out of a lineup any time of day.
we’ll miss ya Rosie ;-; fly high !!