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Sanders shook his head and smiled at the bird as it sat on his podium

"I know it doesn't look like it, but that bird is really a dove asking us for world peace," Sanders said

Washington CNN  — 

A bird was feeling the Bern Friday afternoon when it landed on Bernie Sanders’ podium during a campaign rally in Portland, Oregon.

The Vermont senator first noted the bird when it landed near where he was speaking. He looked down toward the ground and said, “Now you see, this little bird doesn’t know it …”

But before he could finish his thought, the green bird flew and perched on his podium. Sanders couldn’t help but break into a wide grin as the crowd roared with laughter and applause, with many supporters rising to their feet.

Sanders shook his head and smiled at the bird as it sat on his podium.

“I think there may be some symbolism here. I know it doesn’t look like it, but that bird is really a dove asking us for world peace,” Sanders said after the bird flew away. “No more wars.”

The campaign kept the messaging from the moment, tweeting a colorful graphic of the bird on Saturday.