Hunt still on for bird decorator

A search of a Wellington property where groups of intricately decorated pigeons were found has turned up no evidence to suggest the residents are behind the bizarre abuse.

The pigeons were found in an open aviary in Kilbirnie adorned with tinsel, trinkets and paint, during an inquiry into the rising number of birds dying or becoming seriously injured by such decorations.

But it appears the mystery decorator is still at large after the SPCA carried out a search warrant at the property and found no evidence that the house’s occupants had harmed the birds themselves.

“The search warrant found

The owners have an open aviary . . . and the birds . . . have also been victim.

SPCA spokesperson

no incriminating evidence that the occupants were responsible for capturing the birds, decorating, and releasing them,” a spokesperson said.

“The owners have an open aviary with homing pigeons, and the birds found there last week have also been victim to whoever is decorating birds in the Kilbirnie area.”

The seven decorated pigeons were found at the aviary shortly after the antics of the bird decorator made headlines.

Before the discovery, other birds such as sparrows had been found with tinsel wrapped around them.

Many of the sparrows had died as the decorations stopped them from being able to eat or drink

Since 2015, SPCA’s Wellington Centre has had 30 cases of birds being brought in either dead, or with injuries so severe they’ve had to be euthanised.

Decorations were removed from the pigeons by SPCA’s veterinary team, and they were each fully examined.

SPCA’s inspectors will continue to investigate the case, and are calling on Kilbirnie residents to help.