NYC's Mysterious Pink Pigeon Dies From Dye Reaction, Likely Painted For Gender Reveal

New York City's unnaturally pink pigeon, likely painted for a gender reveal party, died on Tuesday after allegedly inhaling too many toxins from the dye on its body.

"We are deeply sad to report that Flamingo, our sweet pink pigeon, has passed away," animal advocates at Wild Bird Fund who rescued the pigeon said Tuesday.

Flamingo, who was reportedly less than a year old, was found wandering through Madison Square Park in Manhattan last week, according to The Guardian. The Wild Bird Fund took the pigeon under its care before the creature's death.

"Despite our best efforts to reduce the fumes coming off the dye, while keeping him calm and stable, he died in the night. We believe his death was caused by inhaling the toxins," the organization said.

The pigeon also reportedly suffered from long-term malnutrition, according to the WBF, likely from neglect.

"Flamingo's story sparked a lot of emotion and generated interest from around the world," the Wild Bird Fund further stated. "We hope the tale of his too-short life will help prevent more acts of careless cruelty."

The group said Flamingo had no survival skills and would still perish, even without the dye.

"This king pigeon, a domestic bird likely raised for food, was malnourished, barely older than a baby and had no survival skills. Even without the added complication of the toxic dye, he would not have survived in a city park as a white, helpless bird."

Calling to prevent another unfortunate fate like Flamingo's, the WBF said that birds raised in captivity should never be released in the wild as they die of starvation or predation.

"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."

According to pigeonrescue.org, King Pigeons, such as Flamingo, have very low odds of survival and don't survive long enough when rescued. King pigeons, alongside doves, are the most used birds in celebrations.