Manhattan, NY – A starving pink pigeon was rescued by a good Samaritan in Madison Square Park and taken to the Wild Bird Fund rehabilitation center for care. According to the non-profit organization, the malnourished young bird is likely the victim of a gender reveal party.

On January 30, the agency posted an image of the dyed bird, writing:

Pigeons come in many different colors and plumages, but pink isn’t one of them. This is a domestic king pigeon who was deliberately dyed this color and released.

Explaining how the coloring impacted his ability to survive in the wild, “being a bright, unusual color makes him even more of a target.” The agency noted that the bird shows signs of “long-term malnutrition.”

This bird is now safe, but others might not be. The organization took the opportunity to offer a public service announcement that might save another bird’s life:

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.

(Image via Facebook)

Continue reading: Woman Arrested For Abandoning Crated Puppy In Intersection

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