Not for weddings, not for gender reveal parties, not for anything.
Since this story was first shared, the Wild Bird Fund has reported that Flamingo, the pigeon who became a symbol of mistreatment, likely died as a result of inhaling toxins. RIP Flamingo.
Recently, a domestic king pigeon was discovered by a bird rescue organization after being deliberately dyed pink and then released into the wild. The unfortunate pigeon, named Flamingo, faced severe challenges. As a domestic bird, it was ill-prepared for the harsh realities of the wild, leaving it vulnerable to starvation and predation. Additionally, being pink made it even more conspicuous, exacerbating its difficulties until its feathers could be replaced.
Fortunately, the Wild Bird Fund stepped in to help Flamingo. They suspect the bird was dyed with hair dye, though the exact reason for this act remains unclear. Some have speculated that the trend of gender reveal parties might have been involved.
This trend is infamous for dangerous and sometimes deadly incidents, including explosions and wildfires. Given this background, it’s not impossible that Flamingo’s color change was part of such an event.
Despite their efforts, the Wild Bird Fund reported that Flamingo was struggling. “After giving him time to stabilize, our team tried several methods to remove the dye, which we believe is hair dye, with limited success,” they noted on Facebook. “The dye has a strong odor, and we’re worried about the bird’s respiratory health. Birds are highly sensitive to fumes, and this pigeon is essentially living inside a cloud.”
One of the major concerns is whether Flamingo has ingested any toxic dye while preening. His weakened state and poor appetite have heightened worries. The team continues to monitor and care for him, trying to minimize stress for the already exhausted bird.
Another crucial issue is the release of domestic birds into the wild. These birds lack survival skills and are either at risk of starvation or becoming prey due to their inability to fend for or protect themselves.
“This bird is malnourished, showing stress bars on its feathers, suggesting it was likely bought from a poultry market rather than being a pet,” the Wild Bird Fund explained to IFLScience. “It is also very young, barely older than fledging age, and has probably never flown.”
Should Flamingo recover, he will be relocated to a sanctuary with other domestic pigeons. As emphasized in their Facebook updates, releasing doves, pigeons, or any domestic animals into the wild is cruel. “Please celebrate your life events peacefully without harming others.”
To support Flamingo’s recovery and help other birds in similar situations, consider contributing to the Wild Bird Fund.
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