Disney stops releasing ceremonial pigeons as they become hawk food

Posted Tuesday, July 23, 2002 8:43 AM | Contributed by Sawblade5

The pigeons used in shows such as Cinderella's Surprise Celebration at the Magic Kingdom and Beauty and the Beast at Disney-MGM Studios, became sitting ducks when red-tailed hawks figured out they could count on an easy meal at the same time every day. Disturbed by the thought of sending the birds to almost certain death, Disney this week stopped releasing the homing pigeons -- ending a tradition that began about 30 years ago.

Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.

BeccaRaptor

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 9:19 AM
Smart hawks, poor pigeons :(
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redman822

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 9:49 AM

I liked the last line in the article...


Red-tailed hawks typically eat smaller birds, snakes and rodents. No word on whether Mickey is in any danger.

...too funny!

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Posting, "Me too" like some brain dead AOLer. I ought to to the world a favor, and cap you like old yeller...

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millrace

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 11:43 AM
We can only hope. . .

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everything's better with a banjo

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MikeMir87

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 11:56 AM
That is pretty amusing...

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Im the #1 Canobie Lake Park Fan!!!These are my top 3 coasters:
1. S:RoS @ SFNE 2. Yankee Cannonball 3. Cyclone/B:TDK

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SLFAKE

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 12:34 PM
Welcome to Disney's newest themed area "Food Chain Land" (or is it "Law of Natural Selection Land")

I bet there are 7 little dwarfs out there that are sweating too.

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I usually do not expect a very objective opinion if a coaster or park is part of the "user name" *** This post was edited by SLFAKE on 7/23/2002. ***

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hunter11

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 1:42 PM
They must have killed alot if pigeons over 30 years.

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Steel: 1)MF, 2)Goliath, 3)Magnum
Wood: 1)Villain, 2)Beast, 3)Roar(SFMW)

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alpengeistBGW

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 1:59 PM

Thats stupid. I know I might sound insensitive but who cares about pigeons it is an amusing part of the show. Anyway hawks have to eat too.

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I rode the bullet at thrillville NH
-Stephen King Riding the Bullet

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alpengeistBGW

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 2:00 PM
Peta was probably responsible. I bet they got nude women to pose as pigeons in front of disney. They are insane

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I rode the bullet at thrillville NH
-Stephen King Riding the Bullet

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Sawblade5

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 2:40 PM
Sawblade5's avatar

Fear the wrath of the Red-Tailed Hawk. Red Tails can be a very smart bird and they'll know where to find the food they like to eat. In this case at Disney, where they keep on release pigeons. Disney should of knew that doing that too often will bait one of these raptors to them.

BTW FYI, the Red-Tailed hawk happens to be my favorite bird to watch. They're one of the most beautiful preditors with the golden brown feathers and the extremely beautiful red tail. I've watch these birds all the time I even have photos I took of these birds including a picture of a nest. Also these birds do mate for life (Stay with the same mate until one dies) and they don't get their red tail until they mature at around the age of 2.

These birds inspired parks to name thier rides after them. A few example of these are Thunder Hawk at DP, Talon at DP, Raptor at CP, Screaming Eagle at SFStL, Screechin' Eagle at LL, and many more. They also inspired manned flight. Now you know why these birds are preatty cool.

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Chris Knight
Jeff, Did you forget to feed the Raptor again? That Raptor is not in a good mood. See http://www.orlandosentinal.com/business/tourism/orl-asecbirds19071902jul19.story?coll=orl%2Dbusiness%2Dheadlines%2Dtourism and you know what I mean.

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RideMan

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 3:15 PM
Those poor unfortunate hawks... :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

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Tolian

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 5:47 PM
exactly rideman, those poor hawks, soon emaciated hawks will begin to fall out of the sky on patrons. wonder what PETA will do then. LOL

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All at once the ghosts come back reeling you in now.

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janfrederick

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 7:36 PM
janfrederick's avatar
Perhaps they should simply move the pigeon release over to their failing animal park.

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"If the beats were made of meat then they would have to be me ..." - L.L. Cool J

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Panther Modern

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 8:14 PM
Oh, so PETA doesn't stand for People Eating Tasty Animals?

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Arrow Guy

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 10:33 PM
But what about Animal Kingdom? LOL.....this would be too perfect!
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Brad Sherman
BuzzCon Frequent Flyer, responsible for guests fleeing the queue in horror!
Model coasters and rides
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angnjc

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 11:08 PM
D**n Liberal whackos!!!!!!!!!!!
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rollergator

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 11:42 AM
rollergator's avatar
the new thrill ride simulator has guests, in full pigeon attire, starring in "Harried by Hawks"....;)

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If you're not watching "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart", you're just watching the news....

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Sheik al Squeak

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 1:10 PM
Hey gator,

Wouldn't that be "Soarin' Over Florida.....In Hawk's Talons?"

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"Is it worth it, to play that game? Is it worth it to sell your name?" -- Jack Friday *** This post was edited by Sheik al Squeak on 7/24/2002. ***

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