Pink colored dove “for wedding or celebration” rescued malnourished

A dove with feathers dyed pink was found malnourished and rescued by a wildlife rehabilitation organization who believe people selfishly painted it for a celebration.

A picture of the dove, which was a completely pale pink in color, was shared on social media by the Wild Bird Fund on Monday, along with a message to raise awareness.

“Pigeons come in many different colors and plumage, but pink isn’t one of them,” wrote the non-profit Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center based in New York City.

The native king pigeon “was intentionally dyed this color and released,” according to the Wild Bird Fund.

“This poor bird has it bad enough as a pet that can’t find food, fly well, or escape predators in the wild, but its bright, unusual color makes it even more of a target,” the organization wrote on Facebook.

“He’s also little more than a chick but is showing signs of long-term malnutrition.”

An individual rescued the pigeon from Madison Square Park and it is safely in the care of the organization who are nursing it back to health.

Wild Bird Fund followed up with a public announcement that it would never release domestic birds into the wild.

“Not for weddings, funerals, celebrations, art projects or anything. (We hope it goes without saying not to dye them, but…) They will starve or be exploited,” the organization wrote.

All-white pigeons in the wild or a tame bird that looks lost needs help and should be caught and taken to a shelter, according to the nonprofit.

Community organization WILD for Prospect Park, which focuses on wildlife interests, learning and development in Brooklyn, commented that “we have no words” about the pink dove.

Wild Bird Fund said the pink dove may have been bought at a poultry market and had never flown before, naming it Flamingo.

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