An urgent warning has been issued to visitors of a popular Bolton park after two swans had to be rescued - after turning pink.

The RSPCA rescued the birds from Moses Gate Country Park after their feathers changed colour.

Now the animal charity is warning members of the public to avoid feeding bread to the birds.

According to the RSPCA, ‘pink feather syndrome’ is caused by a fungus that develops when bread starts decaying in water.

The fungus then gets on the swan’s bill and is transferred to their feathers when they preen – using their beak to position and clean their feathers – turning them pink.

Sign up to our newsletters to get the latest stories sent straight to your inbox.

If the contaminants aren’t removed from waterbirds, it can reduce their natural waterproofing and affect their ability to fly, the charity has said.

The RSPCA says the birds’ feathers become brittle and waterlogged and can become at risk of dying from hypothermia due to the syndrome.

The two swans were cleaned up by the RSPCA and they have now been released at Sale Water Park. Their condition is being monitored.

Follow The Bolton News on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Stephen Wickham, who collected the swans, said: “We know how much people enjoy feeding swans, ducks and geese, however, it’s important to make sure they are given the right food.

“Unfortunately, bread fills them up without giving them the nutrients they need and it can affect their health.

“We’d encourage people to offer them finely chopped greens, such as cabbage, spinach and lettuce, as well as mixed corn, grain, wheat or birdseed.

“Any feeding should also be done in moderation and only as a supplement to their natural diet.”

The RSPCA has also warned that poor nutrition, caused by a high-calorie diet, such as bread, can also lead to a wing deformity called 'angel wing'.

As the bird grows, the wrist joint fails to develop properly and twists, causing some of the wing feathers to stick out from the body – leaving them unable to fly, with no cure.

Those who still wish to feed birds have also been encouraged to throw food into the water rather than onto the bank, and to spread out to different places to avoid droppings accumulating in one place.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.