New York City’s Wildlife Rescue Service said a domestic pigeon that was dyed pink and then released into the wild this week likely died from inhaling toxins from the dye.
The reigning pigeon, nicknamed Flamingo, was found last week in Madison Square Park and turned over to the Wild Bird Fund. In a tweet on Tuesday, the center announced that the flamingo had died.
The tweet read, “Despite our best efforts to reduce fumes from the dye, keeping him calm and stable, he died in the night. We believe his death was caused by toxins.”
The center said it believed hair dye was most likely used to change the pigeon’s colour. The workers tried many methods to extract the dye but none worked.
The bird was malnourished when found at the park. It appeared to be a fledgling and “had no survival skills.”
“Even without the added complication of toxic dye, he would not have survived in a city park as a white, helpless bird,” the center said in its tweet. It is dangerous to release domestic birds. According to the Wild Bird Fund, domesticated birds released into the wild will die of starvation or predation.
Kendra said, “‘Pigeon release’ sound romantic, but take away the decorations and Instagram photos, and they’re the equivalent of dumping your helpless pet by the side of the road. That’s no way to celebrate anything.” “Rest in peace, dear bird.”
It is not clear why the bird was painted or who is responsible for doing so.