Why a green pigeon's TikTok fame is worrying the RSPCA

A fluorescent green pigeon seen wandering around a town centre has left visitors baffled and prompted concerns from the RSPCA about the impact online trends can have on wildlife.

More than four million people have watched videos about the bird on social media. But what is the story behind it?

After the images taken in Northampton began to surface online, some questioned whether they had been created by artificial intelligence or enhanced in some way.

But the team at BBC Verify said there was no evidence of digital manipulation.

There are at least six different videos of the bird on TikTok, with further photos on Facebook.

In all the clips, the bird is in an area in front of All Saints Church, which is where BBC reporter Ollie Conopo captured his own videos and pictures of it.

One person in the area suggested it had been coming to the town centre for about a week.

Birdwatch Magazine optics editor Mike Alibone said: "There is no wild pigeon in the world that looks like this.

"It certainly looks as if it has been dyed and the green colouring is too artificial."

While some diets can influence a bird's colouring, such as flamingos turning pink from eating shrimp, Mr Alibone dismissed that theory in this case.

"I don't believe that an unusual diet is responsible for having such a dramatic effect on the plumage," he said.

A spokesperson from the RSPCA said they suspected the pigeon's feathers had been painted or dyed.

Dyeing pigeons is not unheard of.

A blue pigeon was spotted in Maidenhead, Berkshire last year and a pigeon dyed pink and yellow - believed to be part of a gender reveal - was rescued by an animal sanctuary in Lincolnshire.

The RSPB said some pigeon fanciers dye their birds as they believe it can protect them from predators such as falcons, although the charity said there was no evidence this works.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: "Sadly, from time to time we do hear anecdotally about incidents involving animals being affected in this way - and sadly we fear social media trends could be fuelling this."

Those who have seen the bird have said it is flying normally and does not appear in distress but the RSPCA warned being dyed or painted can cause problems.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "Intentionally painting a pigeon's feathers can be dangerous for the animal.

"It can cause health problems, impair their ability to fly and make them more vulnerable to predators.

"Dye and paints can be toxic to birds and other animals, and they would be likely to try to clean any such substance from their feathers which could result in them swallowing it.

"Until its next moult, this pigeon will likely be more at risk in the wild."

People who have witnessed an animal being dyed or painted are being urged to report it through the RSPCA's website.

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