Mystery surrounds rare bird seen in Kent the past few weeks: ‘Not from Ohio'

Yahoo

30-05-2025

KENT, Ohio (WJW) – A rare feathered visitor swooped into Kent three weeks ago and has people in the area buzzing.
Jason Fabick, owner of Jason's Barber Shop on E. Erie Street, said he stepped outside between haircuts and noticed the unique pigeon with distinctive shimmering green and purple tinted black and white feathers.
'I was just like, wow, that bird is not from Ohio,' Fabick said.
He showed the guys inside his shop and at Belleria Pizza next door, 'and they all came out.'
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Everyone was a flutter over their visitor and they named the bird Harvey after a well-liked man in town who recently passed away.
This Harvey seems to also like people and wants to be around them. However, they can tell he is in unfamiliar territory and they're becoming concerned about his wellbeing.
'He is obviously lost,' said Crocker. 'He has a tag on his leg.'
For weeks, they've been contacting animal control agencies, various bird groups and sanctuaries looking for answers.
Some think the bird is a Romanian racing pigeon, but others said it's more likely that it's a 'Hungarian Budapest Whiteflight Highflyer.'
The only thing that is certain, they say, is that it's not from this state or area.
'We called the National Pigeon Association. Yes, there is one, and they said get close enough to read the tag, but there's no number on the tag,' Fabick said.
They believe the bird might be a 'fancier' species and domesticated, unable to fend for itself.
So, they've been feeding Harvey and providing fresh water.
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Another big concern is what happens at night. Although there are security cameras in the area, it's busy with college students and loud music which seems to frighten Harvey.
'He just perches up on the windowsill up there in the corner and is just kind of huddled. So I just feel like he's always scared,' Crocker said.
They spoke with FOX 8 to spread the word.
Even though everyone loves Harvey, they're hoping the owner or a sanctuary will come forward to help. They said this very special bird deserves an equally beautiful life.
'So that he's safe,' Brooke said. 'So he has someone who will care for him and love him and have other birds to be around to socialize with.'
'That would be wonderful,' agreed Fabick.
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