“Various people got involved, like experts who thought maybe it was a new strain
or a new type of bird . . .”
Danny Auger, New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
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| Photo by donjd2 |
Quick—When I say “colorful bird,” what’s the first word that pops into your head? Peacock? Parrot? Probably not hawk. That’s why locals in Dannevirke, New Zealand (population 5,510) were taken aback in 2009 when they spotted magenta-hued hawks flying around. Bird watchers were convinced the birds were a new species of red harrier hawk. They were wrong. As it turns out, the birds were a farce. Farmer Grant Michael Teahan was convicted last week of animal cruelty for trapping hawks and spray painting them red. Officials discovered the birds were phony when they autopsied one after it was killed by a car. The officials said the paint was a toxin and could have killed the bird, if the car hadn’t gotten it first, that is. Mr. Teahan swears he’s innocent, but he’s painted himself into a bit of a corner. Officials tracked down a video that shows a homemade bird trap covered in magenta red paint and a photo of a cow with the words “Merry Christmas” sprayed on its side . . . in red paint.
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