Residents in Bury have been left baffled after spotting a bright pink pigeon on the streets of the town centre.
The pigeon, whose feathers have turned a bright shade of fuchsia, has been seen by residents throughout the town, with many speculating about how it could have received its very unusual make-over.
Even Greater Manchester Police say its officers saw the bird while out on patrol in Bury town centre.
The pink pigeon in Bury town centre (Image: Newsquest)
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While there is a breed of bird called a pink pigeon, this avian species is native to the island of Mauritius and is much more rare than the rock doves commonly found in our towns and cities.
I saw it on Monday. Apparently they release them at weddings. pic.twitter.com/wnOxIoGntb
— Richard J Mason (@RichardJMason3) September 10, 2023
Its not the first time a bird with such a unique plumage has visited the area. In 2014, a similar pigeon was seen landing on rooftops on a street in, Breightmet, Bolton.
Other residents who have seen the pigeon say they don’t know exactly how the bird came upon its new look but have a few ideas as to what may have happened.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, one said: “When I worked in Miles Platting there were bright blue ones that had become dyed by the nearby paint factory.
Another added that they’d also seen the bird and said: “I saw it on Monday. Apparently they release them at weddings.”
Another said: “Believe it was used in a gender reveal hence the hot pink. Seen several times.
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On Friday, officers from GMP Bury North posted their own snap of the bird, who appeared to be behaving as normal amongst its grey pigeon peers.
It said: “Officers are out on foot patrol this afternoon as part of #OpHeartbeat Officers quickly came across a rare pink pigeon in the town centre.
"Have you seen Bury's pink pigeon yet? Let us know & come and say hi when you spot us.”
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