Why is this pigeon pink? We break down the mystery — plus, birding experts advise what to do if you see a pink bird that shouldn't be pink.
Mystery Bird: Why Does This Pigeon Have Pink Feathers?
Published on Apr. 03, 2025
Nature abounds with brightly colored birds: take a look at indigo buntings, green jays or even the striking red of northern cardinals. But pink birds are few and primarily tropical — think flamingos and roseate spoonbills. For that reason, if you see a mystery pink bird in your backyard, like this redditor in Tarmac, Florida, you might wonder what caused it to look like that — and whether you’ve found a previously undiscovered species (with 99.9% certainty, you haven’t). Here’s what to know about pink birds, including our birding experts’ advice on what to do if you find one.
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Why Is This Pigeon Pink?
Over the years, people have reported sightings of pink pigeons and doves in America. On Reddit, yasmeengarcia asked, “What kind of bird is this? Looks like a pink pigeon/dove. Is this rare? Hangs out at the neighbor’s house who has a bird feeder.”
While a flamingo’s pink coloring is natural and a result of the bird’s diet, a dove or pigeon’s feathers wouldn’t take on pink coloration in that way. As a result, a pigeon would only be pink because of human interference and it stands out from other birds, attracting attention.
For examples of what that interference might look like, look to weddings and gender reveal parties—two occasions that may use birds as part of the “celebration.” A white pigeon or dove with dyed pink bird feathers likely came from some sort of gathering. It might have gotten lost on its way back to where it came from.
Get to the bottom of another pigeon mystery: Why don’t you ever see baby pigeons?
Do Pigeons Ever Have Pink Feathers Naturally?
Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman acknowledge that rock pigeons (those commonly seen in U.S. cities) can be gray, black, white, or reddish brown. But they maintain that the birds wouldn’t be pink (or bright blue, or green, or yellow) unless humans dyed the feathers. They posit that gender reveal parties are a likely explanation for a pink bird, and they express definite distaste for the practice. “We don’t understand why anyone would want to use a living creature in this way,” they say, “and we don’t recommend it.”
As for what a concerned birder should do if they find a strangely colored pigeon, Kenn and Kimberly think that in most cases, it’s best to not intervene. They remind birders that pigeons, while a staple of large North American cities, aren’t native to the U.S. “There are many millions living in a feral or semi-wild state on this continent. A pigeon that’s pink or blue will not be more vulnerable to predators than one that’s white, or patched black-and-white,” they say.
You could check to see if the bird is banded. “People who keep racing pigeons or homing pigeons usually put identifying bands on each bird’s legs, which may make it possible to find the owner,” they say.
With that said, they still recommend leaving it alone. “At the moment, everyone should be cautious about picking up any strange bird because the threat of avian influenza is so widespread,” they say.
Here’s how to tell the difference between a mourning dove vs a pigeon.
What Is a Fancy Pigeon?
While a dyed pink pigeon is abnormal, some pigeons do have natural coloration and plumage that seems unusual to human eyes. One Birds & Blooms reader wrote in to ask about one such bird. “My wife spotted this bird (pictured above) one day while sitting on our dock. Can you tell us what it is?” asks Edward Fabik of Lake Placid, Florida.
Kenn and Kimberly say, “Believe it or not, this striking bird is actually a pigeon—but it’s a fancy one! For centuries, pigeon enthusiasts have been working to breed special varieties. Now these domesticated strains can be seen in all colors and with all kinds of ornate plumes. There are a number of varieties that have a ruff of feathers around the back of the neck like the bird in your photo, and several that show the black cap and the red above the bill.”
Next, find out if this white mourning dove is albino?
About the Experts
Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the official bird experts for Birds & Blooms. They are the creators of the Kaufman Field Guide series and they lead birding trips all over the world.
