A pale pink pigeon discovered in a New York City public park has sparked speculation that a
gender reveal party could be to blame.
The Wild Bird Fund, an Upper West Side-based non-profit wildlife rehabilitation group, wrote on Twitter:
“PSA: Please never release domestic birds to the wild,” it began.
“Not for weddings, funerals, celebrations, art projects, anything. (We’d hope that ‘don’t dye them’ goes without saying, but…) They will starve or be preyed on. If you see an all-white pigeon in the wild, or any tame bird standing around looking lost, it needs your help. Please catch the bird and bring it to a pigeon rescue or animal sanctuary near you.”
The “deliberately dyed” pink pigeon was saved by a good Samaritan who noticed the bird and reported it, the rescue group said.
Onlookers speculated how the naturally snow-white bird became bubble-gum pink.
“My guess is someone did it for a kid’s bday party or gender reveal,” one person commented. “Sickening.”
“What is wrong with people?” another wrote.
According to the rescue group, the bird was a king pigeon bred to be kept in captivity for exhibition or consumption, Fox News reported.
The Wild Bird Fund said they believed the animal had never flown before and was most likely purchased from a poultry market.
The rescue group said the bird was more of a target for prey because it had never flown before
“This poor bird has it bad enough as a domestic bird, unable to find food in the wild, fly well or escape predators, but being a bright, unusual color makes him even more of a target,” the Wild Bird Fund wrote.
Gender reveal parties are where expecting couples gather loved ones to reveal the sex of their unborn child, usually involving the color blue or pink.
The center added the bird was “barely more than a fledging but showed signs of long-term malnutrition.”
The non-profit is currently caring for the pigeon until it is healthier and stronger to be transferred to a sanctuary where other king pigeons live.
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