Hedland’s iron ore pigeons bath in soup

Port Hedland’s unofficial bird emblem, the iron ore pigeon, is a common sight around town. Discernible by its pigeon-like features and rust-red, oily coat, the red rock chicken typically hangs out wherever there is food in the west end of town.

Harbour Cafe in Hedland seems to have become a bit tired of the avian local, and has introduced pigeon water.

A sign outside the cafe encourages diners to squirt the birds with a substance containing essential oils the pigeons are not too keen on.

Of course they don’t like essential oils. Like the mullet-capped bogan, the iron pigeon is believed only to like oils which come from not washing yourself for way too long.

Not that we are accusing the pidgeotto hedlandus of not washing.

North West Telegraph journo Rob Dougherty recently spotted an iron ore pigeon enjoying a bath at Dome — not the bath we may be accustomed to of course.

No, the iron ore pigeon was bathing in soup. Warm, leftover soup.

We really do believe David Attenborough should come and investigate this most curious of birds.