Rainbow birds in Rota (1 Viewer)

[reckless]

When we were at Rota in Spain recently, each afternoon a flock of birds of assorted vibrant colours came swooping in, performing aerial acrobatics.

We were entranced. We've never seen such striking colours - bright red, turquoise etc. The colour seemed to be mainly on the lower outside section of the wing.

Can anyone identify them? No picture I'm afraid as they stayed airborne.

 

[CWH]

bee eater?

 

[Welsh girl]

They were pigeons. Let out of the travelling boxes to fly home presumably. I think they might have been dyed with hopefully food colouring. I saw them being freed at Rota Aire. Saturday morning.

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[reckless]

Thanks @TrishandTerry I've never heard of birds being dyed.

@CWH the bee eater is far more colourful and impressive!

 

[DBK]

Indeed, a Bee-Eater - and they really do eat bees! A summer visitor, they sensibly spend the European winter in Africa. It will have crossed over the Sahara from West Africa and flown over the Straits of Gibraltar.

 

[reckless]

@DBK lost in translation I think!

Not doubting CWH's bird knowledge but this was not what we saw.

TrishandTerry have solved the mystery.

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[DBK]

@DBK lost in translation I think!

Not doubting CWH's bird knowledge but this was not what we saw.

TrishandTerry have solved the mystery.

Sorry, I saw the photo and thought that was what wecwere trying to identify! Must go to spec savers!

 

[MikeD]

Seems it a bit of a tradition in Spain

 

[2657]

We have seen pigeons dyed in multi colours in Almeria city looking down from the Alcazar.

Here in Tavira the Bee eaters usually arrive around the 5th April though not in large numbers, have seen huge flocks of them around El Rocio in the past but can't remember the dates except that it was Easter.

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[Welsh girl]

Here's a couple. Nice sight though aren't they. Got me wondering too.

 

[reckless]

I'm kind of disappointed those colours weren't natural.

 

[CWH]

When we were kids my brother kept & bred budgies. The original stock that he bought were all dyed, though we didn't realise it until their next moult when they became a different colour...

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[Mikey RV]

Saw these in Spain