One of three pigeons rescued after tiny cowboy hats were superglued to their heads has died.
Animal rescue group Lofty Hopes Pigeon Rescue found the birds in Las Vegas in December after reports from members of the public.
A video of birds gained popularity on social media after passer-by Bobby Lee spotted them milling around bins in a car park.
Lofty Hopes has been caring for the pigeons since but on Tuesday the rescuers posted the sad news that a bird they nicknamed "Billie the Pidge" had died.
The animal experts said they believed the fumes from the adhesive played a role in the bird's death.
The rescue centre said: “The staff and volunteers at Lofty Hopes are saddened to report that Billie The Pidge, one of the Cowboy Pigeons in the red hats, has passed away of an undetected illness.
“The hat could have interfered with her being able to dislodge small insects from under it, and pigeons are very active preeners (groomers), not just for themselves, but for the others in their flocks.
“The fumes of the glue could have slowly poisoned her. Pigeons have a very fragile respiratory system. So many things could have gone wrong.”
Employees say pigeons have fragile respiratory systems and a veterinarian had to trim feathers to remove the hats.
It is not certain if the bird’s death was connected to the hat. The person who put the hats on the birds is still unknown.
Billie's companions Cluck Norris and Coolamity Jane have survived and continue to be cared for by the rescue centre.
