How a Dyed Pink Pigeon Found Hope and Redemption on the Streets
Ashley McCann
A pigeon has been rescued after he was used for entertainment and thrown onto the streets when no longer needed.
A Good Samaritan, who just happened to be a bird lover, spotted the pink-colored pigeon wondering around Manhattan's Madison Square Park.
They brought the king pigeon, a domestic breed, to the Wild Bird Fund, a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation and education center.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Staff named the pigeon Flamingo, and said he was in bad shape, showing signs of long-term malnutrition.
They suspect someone had purchased him from a poultry market and dyed him pink to use him at a gender reveal party, a wedding, or some sort of event for human entertainment.
"PSA: Please never release domestic birds to the wild. 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," Wild Bird Fund wrote on Facebook.
Photo: Facebook/Wild Bird Fund
Since Flamingo is a domestic bird, he be unable to find food in the wild, fly well or escape predators, so being on the streets would be a death sentence for him.
Staff has tried several different methods to remove the dye, which they believe is hair dye, but have unfortunately been unsuccessful. They are hoping those feathers will eventually molt.
The dye has a very strong odor, so staff is concerned for his respiratory health, since birds are highly sensitive to certain fumes.
Photo: Facebook/Wild Bird Fund
Flamingo is weak and struggling to keep food down, but they have him on heat, oxygen and subcutaneous fluids. They also have him on medication to counteract the effects of the toxin on his digestive system.
Although he is weak, staff refuses to give up on him and will continue to do everything they can to nurse him back to help.
To stay updated on Flamingo's progress, click here to visit Wild Bird Fund's Facebook page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjGzL86fPP4
