Mystery of pink pigeon spotted in Greater Manchester town

The sighting of a pink pigeon has left shoppers in Bury perplexed. The unusually-coloured bird was spotted twice at the start of this month - on September 1 and September 4.

The striking creature easily stand out from its grey peers. Despite the fun colour, it appears the pink hue on the pigeon has come via unnatural means.

The RSPB has confirmed that some sort of dye or substance must have caused the change in colour. Bosses say they can't be sure how the bird came to be pink, but that it could impact its life chances.

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An RSPCA spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News: "We can't be sure whether these birds have been deliberately covered in a pink substance, or whether they have fallen in something.

"If someone has intentionally painted the pigeon's feathers this is very worrying as it could cause health problems, impair their ability to fly and make them more vulnerable to predators.

"Dye and paints can be toxic to birds and 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."

GMP Bury posted about the bird after officers spotted it in the town.

It's not the first time a pink pigeon has been spotted in Greater Manchester. In 2019, one was seen in the Ikea car park in Ashton.

And in 2015, a pink pigeon was spotted in Stockport town centre.