Parents are blasted for using pigeons at gender reveal parties: Birds dyed pink and blue in sick online craze are being inadvertently killed by paint fumes, animal charities have warned
- The RSPCA issued a warning after several cases where birds were painted pink
British parents-to-be have been blasted for are inadvertently killing birds by dyeing them pink or blue for gender reveal parties.
The RSPCA has issued a warning after hearing about a number of alarming cases where pigeons were covered in paint as part of a sick online craze - made popular in the US - to release birds at parties that reveal the gender of an unborn child.
One pigeon covered in pink dye died after being discovered in Corby, Northamptonshire, while another brightly coloured bird was spotted at a farm near Exmouth, in Devon.
Meanwhile, across the pond, a pigeon named Flamingo, rescued from a park in New York City, died after it too was dyed pink as part of a suspected gender reveal ceremony last year.
The RSPCA said the worrying trend is 'unacceptable', while one rescue centre in Leicestershire described it as 'an act of cruelty and is no way to celebrate the gender of your baby'.
This pigeon covered in pink dye died after being discovered in Corby, Northamptonshire. It is believed it died after being covered in paint as part of a sick online craze to release birds at parties that reveal the gender of an unborn child
Another brightly coloured bird was spotted at a farm near Exmouth, in Devon, also believed to have been painted as part of the trend which was made popular in the US
This pigeon named Flamingo, rescued from a park in New York City, died after it too was dyed pink as part of a suspected gender reveal ceremony last year
The RSPCA issued a warning to future parents after the painted pigeon, which was discovered in Corby, was attacked by a cat.
The bird was taken to Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital severely malnourished and dehydrated where staff believe it may have inhaled toxins in the dye.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: 'The majority of us want the best for animals, and to treat them with respect - so intentionally painting a pigeon's feathers is unacceptable as it could cause health problems, impair their ability to fly and make them more vulnerable to predators.
'In addition, 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.
'From time to time we do hear anecdotally about incidents involving animals being affected in this way - and sadly we fear social media trends could be fuelling this.
'To find out what to do if you witness an incident involving dyeing or painting an animal, please visit the RSPCA's website.'
Amy Ducker, from Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital, added: 'It was something we were aware of but we haven't ever admitted one that's been used for such purposes.
'Other centres have seen similar situations. In any case using domestic birds for releases at weddings or parties never seems to end that well for the pigeons or doves.
Flamingo the pigeon, who died after being found in a park in New York, was described as being in poor condition when he arrived at a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center
Madison Square Park in New York, where Flamingo the pigeon was found
'They're domestic animals and they've never lived in the wild so they don't really know what they're doing.
'But to then do that with a brightly coloured pigeon that's got all sorts of chemicals flashed over it's back and is obviously a target for predators that can see them more visibly it can cause so many issues for the pigeon.
'People obviously don't realise when they see these trends going on on social media and they don't even stop to think whether it's something that's right or wrong.
'I suppose they just look at it and think everyone's doing it so it must be OK.'
Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital, based in Kibworth, Leicestershire, added in a statement: 'Yesterday, we admitted this pigeon which had been dyed pink. The pigeon was most likely used for a gender reveal party and is absolutely shocking.
'It has become a horrendous trend and we are urging you to spread the message about the effects that this can have.
'Please think before you follow these social media trends. Quite simply, it is an act of cruelty and is no way to celebrate the gender of your baby.
'As in the case of this pigeon, the dye makes the birds a much easier and identifiable target to predators.
'They may also be 'picked on' by other pigeons causing them to struggle with getting food - exacerbated by the fact that these pigeons are usually bred in captivity and so have absolutely no sense of how to survive in the wild.
'The dye also contains toxins which can be inhaled, or ingested by the pigeon, causing them to become incredibly unwell.
'This pigeon sadly didn't make it, he was incredibly malnourished, dehydrated and had significant wounds caused by the cat.
'Please share to spread the message.'
Just last year, people living near a farm in Exmouth were left baffled after a pink pigeon was spotted by an onlooker, who described it as 'a real surprise'.
Andrew Lamont of Lower Halsdon Farm told DevonLive at the time: 'I think it was dyed however, can't be sure. It was a real surprise when it landed next to me. We are at Lower Halsdon Farm, Exmouth, just by the Exe trail path.'
The farmer shared his encounter to a community Facebook group, prompting another local to claim they had also seen the painted pigeon.
They wrote: 'I saw this on the rooftop of a house in Brixington on the weekend! Thought I was seeing things'.
A few months earlier In February 2023, a pigeon named Flamingo, rescued from a park in New York City, died after it too was dyed pink as part of a suspected gender reveal ceremony.
The Wild Bird Fund said previously: 'Flamingo's story sparked a lot of emotion and generated interest from around the world.
'We hope the tale of his too-short life will help prevent more acts of careless cruelty.
'Dove releases sound romantic, but take away the decorations and Instagram photos, and they are the equivalent of dumping your helpless pets on the side of the road.
'This is no way to celebrate anything.'
