As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Sunday, 7 February 2016

Cruel pigeon breeders create flying trap to catch rare birds of prey


SPIKED with deadly fishing hooks, this unlucky pigeon has been turned into a flying trap to catch birds of prey.

PUBLISHED: 08:47, Sat, Feb 6, 2016 | UPDATED: 09:12, Sat, Feb 6, 2016

The pigeon breeders put the hooks on the birds to try and injure birds of prey

A cruel pigeon breeder is suspected of priming the bird with deadly barbs on its feet so that it would badly injure an unsuspecting peregrine falcon or sparrowhawk.

The sick tactic is the latest twist in a war being waged on protected birds by heartless pigeon fanatics who are happy to let their own birds become injured so they can claim a kill.

Pictures show how this unfortunate pigeon had been fitted with the hooks using plastic clips but then became trapped when the barbs tangled as it landed in a garden.

Luckily, the RSPCA rescued the pigeon and it is now being cared for at the charity’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire.

The RSPCA today appealed for anyone with information about the incident, which happened in Poolfield Road, Lichfield, Staffordshire, on February 2.

Experts say hooks are often used on “tumbler pigeons” which are particular prone to attacks from raptors. 

“This poor pigeon was caught up in someone’s garden due to the fact he had plastic clips on his legs with big hooks coming out of them,” explained RSPCA inspector Laura Bryant, who rescued the unfortunate bird.


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