Watch a Pet Turkey Slide Down a Playground Slide in Quebec BackyardGabrielle LaFrankThu, November 12, 2026 at 4:45 AM UTC
(Jim Mahon / 500px / Getty Images)
Few things in life are as joyful as watching an animal play. Whether it’s a dog chasing a ball or a baby elephant wrestling with their favorite human friend, nothing in the world matters when a critter has playful energy to spare.
Just ask Mercedez Robillard, a homeowner in Quebec, Canada, who noticed her pet turkeys playing on the kids’ playground in the backyard as if they knew just what to do. One turkey even slid down the slide! For a moment, it’s almost as if the birds are actually human kids in costumes, and I couldn’t be happier that she caught this priceless moment on film.
Look at him go! Turkeys can’t fly as well as other bird species can, so speeding down the slide must’ve felt like taking flight. If this bird can get his friends to try the slide, they’ll be back every day!
“It was a dare, and he didn’t want people to think he was a chicken,” @kayleigh_720 jokingly commented. That must be it!
Related: Chickens Take Turns Sliding Down Stair Railing Like They’re at a Playground
If I saw this in my backyard, I’d spend all day watching the flock trying to figure out their dynamic. Have the others tried the slide? How did the bird get up there? The more I consider this unique animal encounter, the more questions I have.
“They are very curious,” Mercedez told Storyful. “They watch everything we do outside. They would sit there and watch my kids play and go down the slide and then they started doing it as well.”
I did want to point out one important misconception I noticed in the comments on the @abcnews video: these turkeys are not about to become someone’s Thanksgiving feast! Firstly, Mercedes confirmed to Storyful that these birds are pets. Secondly, Canadian Thanksgiving takes place in October.
How Do Animals Play?
“Birds have personalities just like humans,” @runsonpizza reminded everyone. “They’re magnificent creatures.” These personalities give each individual their own unique play style, though some animals are much more subtle than others.
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If you know what to look for, you might be able to spot turkeys playing, too. They may chase one another, play keep-away, and even initiate flying competitions (remember, wild turkeys can’t fly very far or effectively).
Apparently, some turkeys slide, too! This playful bird has no idea their shenanigans have gone viral, but I hope they never stop playing, no matter who’s watching.
This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Nov 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: Nature
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