https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1d71p2xqkgo?utm_placement=newsletter
Blue pigeon mystifies town’s residents
4 days ago << 2024-09Sep-06 >>
Charlotte Andrews
BBC News
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Several sightings of a blue pigeon wandering around a town’s streets have baffled residents.
The bird has been photographed by a number of people in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
Some locals insisted the bird’s unique plumage looked natural.
But wildlife experts suggested it could have been dyed for a gender-reveal party – a tradition where expectant couples learn the sex of their baby using pink or blue items.
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Rebecca Machin, from the RSPCA’s wildlife team, warned dye could cause birds health problems, impair their ability to fly and make them more vulnerable to predators.
“Dye and paints can be toxic to birds and other animals, and they would be likely to try to clean any such substance from their coat or feathers which could result in them swallowing it,” she said.
She also said she feared social media trends could be fuelling the behaviour.
“We suspect this pigeon’s feathers have been painted – something we seem to be hearing about more and more, including – anecdotally – at events like gender reveal parties,” she said.
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Oh come on people, leave the wildlife alone.
Balloons are bad enough for power lines, birds, and fish. Now you have to maim some poor birds.
How about you stick to exploding blue or pink powder packs? At least, you can only hurt yourself.
Argh!
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