SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The SPCA was populated by pigeons this past weekend.

Misted pigeons are happy pigeons, according to SPCA staff. These birds caught their flight to Rankin Inlet Sunday morning. - Robin Grant/NNSL photo

A flock of 31 pigeons that had ended up in Inuvik on their way to Edmonton on Friday were flown to Yellowknife, where they spent the weekend at the NWT SPCA. The birds were flying First Air cargo with a final destination of Rankin Inlet.

The docile birds were cooing in a small back room of the building all weekend.

Full-time NWT SPCA staff member Talina Makaro said caring for the birds was a unique experience. She said as far as she knows, this is the first time the organization has housed this type of animal.

When SPCA staff picked the birds up from the Yellowknife Airport, Makaro said they were in crates. They transferred them into cages at the facility.

"They make interesting noises," she said. "They hoot. It's kind of peaceful. It's nice to listen to. It's like an owl almost."

The pigeons don't make much of a mess, said Makaro, who went on to describe a little bit of their care regimen: they can't eat sunflower seeds because it makes them sick and they like to be misted with water.

NWT SPCA vice-president Dana Martin explained why they like to be misted.

"It helps get the water back into their systems," she said. "It helps them feel better. They fluff their feathers."

She said having the birds, which she believes to be racing pigeons, as residents for the weekend has been interesting.

"I'm glad that they called us. I'm glad we were able to accommodate them," said Martin.

The pigeons caught their flight to Rankin Inlet Sunday morning, according to Nicole Spencer, president of NWT SPCA.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.