Pink pigeon spotted wandering around NYC park was ‘deliberately dyed,’ group says

While pink pigeons do exist in the wild, one pigeon found wandering around a New York City park wasn’t born that way — and needed help, according to a nonprofit wildlife organization.

The bright pink pigeon whose feathers were “deliberately dyed” was saved by a rescuer who keeps an eye out for wildlife on Jan. 30 in Madison Square Park in the NYC borough of Manhattan, the Wild Bird Fund, which is a rehabilitation and education center, told McClatchy News on Jan. 31.

This bird isn’t just any average pigeon one may see in a public park.

It’s a domestic king pigeon, a naturally white breed, and was likely released by someone, according to the Wild Bird Fund’s Jan. 30 Facebook post. The group says the young bird is “barely more than a fledgling,” is unable to fly properly and had been starving for a long time.

“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 organization wrote.

How did the pigeon end up in the park?

The pigeon was potentially bought at a poultry market before it was dyed and released, Wild Bird Fund spokeswoman Catherine Quayle told McClatchy News in a statement.

Domestic king pigeons are tame birds “typically raised for food,” Quayle said.

Oftentimes, king pigeons are eaten while they’re weeks old, according to Palomacy, a pigeon rescue group. Their survival in the wild is unlikely and they are occasionally purchased by people who want to save them from being eaten.

Don’t release domestic birds, the center says

The Wild Bird Fund urges people to never release domestic birds no matter the occasion, including during weddings or celebrations, because “they will starve or be preyed on.”

The pink pigeon found at the park might’ve been released as part of a ceremony, an art stunt or a gender reveal as Wild Bird Fund’s social media followers have guessed, according to Quayle.

“If you see an all-white pigeon in the wild, or any tame bird standing around looking lost, it needs your help,” the organization’s Facebook post said. “Please catch the bird and bring it to a pigeon rescue or animal sanctuary near you.”

Basically, “any bird that can be approached and picked up needs help,” Quayle said.

Now the center is caring for the pink pigeon until it is healthier and stronger, the group confirmed. Then, it will be transferred to a sanctuary where other king pigeons live.

Its pink coloring won’t be permanent as it will eventually fade as the pigeon bathes or molts, Quayle said.

How to capture a domestic bird safely

To safely capture a domesticated bird that appears like it needs help, the organization shared this advice with McClatchy News:

“Try to get someone to work with you if possible. Approach the bird from behind, throw a cloth/towel/sweater over the bird’s head. Tuck the wings to the body with the cloth still covering. Place it in a box, closable tote or paper bag. Leave it in a dark, quiet closed room. Locate a local wildlife rehabilitator or sanctuary and arrange to drop off the bird as soon as you can so it can get help. Do not feed, but you can offer a small shallow bowl of water to drink from.”

Actual pink pigeons can be found on the east African island nation of Mauritius.

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