this post was submitted on 27 Mar 2026
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Psychedelic pigeon (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world to c/birding@lemmy.world
19 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Seen yesterday in Teruel, Spain.

This is my second sighting of such a creature. The first time (different city so not the same bird) I didn't get a good look, and suspected the poor pigeon had somehow been, um, artistically vandalized. But this one was clearly natural (PS: or not, see comments), with symmetric coloration merging perfectly into the iridescent breast.

Some cursory research did not turn up clues. Did its domestic ancestor mate with its budgie cagemate? Nah, that can't be right.

Anyway, it seems that polychromatic feral pigeons are a thing.

PS. More angles:

PPS: I was fooled by a pigeon, or rather by a pigeon artist! Well done to the sleuthers here.

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[–] faythofdragons@slrpnk.net 20 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (3 children)

I wonder if it's these guys, at it again

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2014/aug/06/painted-pigeons-paloma-al-aire-ricardo-cases-in-pictures

[–] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 11 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Well, well. Looks like you've got to the bottom of it. That would explain the ring too.

I was taken in by a virtuoso pigeon artist!

It must have escaped. It was getting a lot of attention at the cafe, but from children. The staff were completely uninterested, presumably because they knew it already. In my experience individual pigeons tend to frequent exactly the same haunts.

[–] faythofdragons@slrpnk.net 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Maybe not escaped, I know a lot of pigeon keepers let their birds free range and they only come home at night.

[–] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Amazing. Did not know that but it figures.

[–] faythofdragons@slrpnk.net 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Pigeon keeping is an absolutely fascinating topic, haha

[–] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

IIRC Darwin spent much of Origin of Species talking about it. That and, um, worms.

[–] stubbytoe@slrpnk.net 9 points 3 days ago

It's pride pigeons 😍

[–] hawgietonight@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

It's a game they play here in in the region of Murcia and I know a few that play, trade and buy these "palomos", a top 10 finisher can fetch around 3000€.

Sometimes the pigeons get lost, and their tracker doesn't work to find them, so they can be found in the wild, but it isn't common because they are easy prey for eagles.

[–] Syndication@lemmy.today 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Looks like someone tried to paint Spains flag onto the feathers

[–] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

Another clue I shamefully missed!

[–] Tempus_Fugit@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

Quite the pretty pigeon regardless of her makeup, ぽ

[–] the_riviera_kid@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

What suddenly a pigeon isn't allowed to be fabulous?

.....but for real I'm interested to know whats going on here too, A location would help with identification if you feel comfortable giving it.

[–] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

Location mentioned: Teruel, capital of Spanish province of same name. Cafe on main square.

[–] Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

To my eye this bird looks dyed/painted, I’m not a pigeon expert but I’ve seen a lot of fancy pigeons and spent a stupid amount of time in bird ID guides. As for why someone would do that, I couldn’t begin to guess.

Edit: squinting at its foot and I noticed what may be a ring? Could be someone’s pet.

[–] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Got a good look, if it was painted it was an amazing job. (PS: it was exactly that.) See added photos. As mentioned, it's not the first I've seen (completely different places).

Yes, I think there may have been a ring, that's definitely a clue I should have been paying more attention to. Too distracted by the fabulous paint job!

Seriously though, I suspect a genetic quirk. Pigeons do have unusual variations due to the human selection in their history. You sometimes see ones with feathered feet for that reason. Like dogs, basically.

PS: looks like your theory is correct. The invisible hand turns out to be very human. I'm impressed.

[–] Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I think they did a very good job, but I think this pigeon’s natural color is like the ones with the white backs in the background of the first pic; it makes a sort of natural canvas. In the second picture you posted it looks like a little bit of white might be peeking through there above the red.

Edit: just saw the link someone else posted about painted pigeons, mystery solved!

[–] ArseAssassin@sopuli.xyz 1 points 3 days ago

Groovy.

[–] spitfire@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

He wanted to become a parrot so he did - an embodiment of „you can be whoever you want”;)

[–] real_squids@sopuli.xyz 2 points 3 days ago

A rare Harlequin model from VW