Of all the road hazards we learn about when we get our driver’s license, turkeys are not usually mentioned as a danger. Of course, it probably depends on the location; for most of us, moose and bears are not a problem, but they can be in Alaska. So, take the wildlife of Palermo, New York as yet another cautionary tale.

State police there say a 22-year-old man was injured when he collided with a turkey while travelling down Route 3. Technically, the turkey hit the motorcycle when it flew into the path of the rider. The man lost control of his motorcycle and slid off the road. Fortunately, his injuries are not life threatening. There is no word on the turkey.

The wild turkey can grow to nearly 20 pounds, be almost four feet in length, and has a wingspan between four and five feet. Hitting one of these on a motorcycle doesn’t seem like such a small thing when you consider this. On a related note, this is further proof that the efforts to reintroduce the wild turkey in areas where it was overhunted have been successful. They now roam over most of the US and into Canada and Mexico.

If you are ever injured in a motorcycle accident when you hit a large game bird, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Though you may not get anything from the turkey, an attorney can help you with any insurance claims you may have to file or other issues that come up.