'Love struck' turkey lays claim to parked Honda Civic in New Jersey

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Feb. 29 (UPI) -- A New Jersey woman said a "love struck turkey" has taken a liking to her son's brand new Honda Civic and won't let anyone else near the vehicle.

Betty Ann DiGiacomo said she discovered a wild turkey wandering outside her Mount Laurel home about 7:30 a.m. Friday and she soon discovered the bird seemed enamored with her son's brand new Honda Civic, which he bought two months ago.

"I was laughing because it looked like he was looking over it to see if it was a good car, like he was shopping for a car," DiGiacomo told WPVI-TV. "I named him Patrick -- Patrick the love struck turkey."

Experts said the turkey is displaying what's known as "Crazy Jake Behavior," which is named for adolescent male turkeys, or Jakes.

The experts said turkeys in the mating mindset will often become attracted to shiny objects and will sometimes show an interest in their own reflections.

DiGiacomo said Patrick wouldn't let anyone else approach the car.

"When I banged the pots and pans he came towards me. And I'll be honest, I got a little scared and I ran in the house."

DiGiacomo tweeted Sunday that the turkey hadn't returned after wandering into the woods Friday afternoon.

"Patrick has gone back to his pack," she tweeted.