MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — People who frequent the intersection of Green End Avenue and Valley Road in Middletown, Rhode Island, know that the area is Gravy the turkey’s turf.
While it’s unclear who originally named the bird, Gravy has gained notoriety on Aquidneck Island.
Jon Downes works at the 7-Eleven just up the street from the intersection the turkey frequents.
“Gravy’s the one that’s always holding up traffic,” Downes told Nexstar’s WPRI. “He’s always the one in front of cars, stopping the traffic.”
“There have been times that I’ve been going to class, and sure enough, that thing has made me late,” explained Tanner Blum, a college student who lives in Middletown and has encountered Gravy on multiple occasions. “It’ll stay in front of cars, and people will honk at it.”
According to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Gravy likely perceives his reflection in vehicles as a rival male. He puffs up and stops in front of the cars because he is trying to assert his dominance.
“He actually chases police officers and our garbage truck every week,” Downes said.
Gravy has even been caught on camera running after a police cruiser. WPRI reached out to Middletown police for comment, but never heard back.
DEM called Gravy a “nuisance turkey,” but there are currently no plans to put a stop to the bird’s antics.
“The DEM … remains in contact with the Middletown Animal Control Officer about the issue, but the bird appears healthy,” the department said in an email. “As a policy, DEM does not relocate healthy animals.”
Many people agree that Gravy has become a local celebrity and are happy to see him stay. “He’s like part of the island now,” Downes said.
Gravy has been the inspiration for Halloween costumes, and a social media account in his name has amassed thousands of followers.
Eileen Pollina, the artist behind the Newport gift shop Sincerely, Eileen, is even selling turkey greeting cards that say, “Have a Gravy Thanksgiving.”
“I have an extensive greeting card line, but it was time for a new Thanksgiving design. Gravy’s surge in popularity was the perfect inspiration for the pun,” Pollina said. “Aquidneck Island is a tight-knit community that is great at supporting local businesses like mine. When possible, I cater to integrating the wholesome and quirky things that make where we live so special.”
“We see him every day at lunchtime,” said Jason Almeida, who lives in Bristol but frequents Middletown for work. “Where does it go? We don’t know. Hopefully home to his wife or whatever.”
Despite Gravy’s tendency to hold up traffic, many people are hoping they’ll see him again after Thanksgiving.
“Hopefully he stays away from everybody,” Almeida laughed. “Hopefully he doesn’t get gobbled up!”
A Middletown resident named Mark told WPRI that Gravy may even be able to teach us something about the spirit of the holiday.
“I can see where it might be a bother to people who are in a hurry,” he acknowledged. “But, you know, we’re lucky to live here, and we’re lucky to have such an eccentric animal.”