Dove Release

I do not think it is that popular but if in case you are considering it, I thought I'd share:

DEAR ABBY: The wedding season is fast approaching, and every year, starry-eyed brides plan to release white doves to 'freedom' as part of their wedding celebration.
Abby, when white doves, born and raised in captivity with no clue how to live on their own, are released to 'freedom,' they face certain death! Have you ever seen white doves flying about, nesting in the wild? No. That's because they cannot survive on their own.

Please spread the word that this awful practice needs to stop. A little education would go a long way. -- SOMEONE WHO CARES, ORANGEVALE, CALIF.

DEAR SOMEONE: Thank you for the heads-up. I discussed your comments with a docent at a local zoo, who explained that not only do doves raised in captivity know nothing about predators, being released into an unknown area disorients the poor creatures. In order to survive, they would have to join with another flock -- and spreading their wings brings no guarantee they will be accepted.

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Posted by shell1879

from what i understand with the doves is that they are trained to go back to the home they use the same doves they don't actually release them into the wild

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that's what i thought too (which is why i thought the letter was so odd when i read dear abby this morning). i'm not planning on doing it and haven't researched it though so i could be wrong.

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Posted by shell1879

from what i understand with the doves is that they are trained to go back to the home they use the same doves they don't actually release them into the wild

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Yes this is true as long as you go with a reputable vendor. They are actually like homing pigeons-they are trained to find their way back. A dove release can not happen during certain types of weather-rain, fog, extreme heat or when there is low clouds b/c they can get disoriented. It is very important to KNOW the company you are working with practices this-otherwise a beautiful dove release is nothing more then letting beautiful birds die

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Posted by PegaLega

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Posted by shell1879

from what i understand with the doves is that they are trained to go back to the home they use the same doves they don't actually release them into the wild

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Yes this is true as long as you go with a reputable vendor. They are actually like homing pigeons-they are trained to find their way back. A dove release can not happen during certain types of weather-rain, fog, extreme heat or when there is low clouds b/c they can get disoriented. It is very important to KNOW the company you are working with practices this-otherwise a beautiful dove release is nothing more then letting beautiful birds die

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I have to agree as well- my MOH used Doves at her wedding... and they are trained, in some cases, I could see the Dear Abbey message being true- but yes, if you use a reputable vendor- I'm sure you will not have a problem. The ceremony of the white doves itself was a beautiful touch. HTH

I thought the doves were trained to go back to the trainer with a reputable place.

I'd never do it anyway cause I'd be worried they'd have an accident on me or my guests heads!

Hi Girls-

it is called a dove release but they are actually white pigeons...

I did it on my wedding

I'm doing dove releases and I know for a fact I'm not putting birds in jeapordy.
From my understanding, they're using pigeons (that looks like doves) who are trained that once released, they head back to their homes.
This is why many dove releasal places wont allow you to use them right before sunset, because the birds cannot fly in the dark and can hurt themselves with wires and such. That is why dove releasals have to be done in the daytime so that the birds can find their way back home --safely--

Not exactly sure what part of the country/world this dove releasal problem is occuring, but i doubt there are any predators in Long Island that'll harm these well trained birds.

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Posted by sparklycat

I thought the doves were trained to go back to the trainer with a reputable place.

I'd never do it anyway cause I'd be worried they'd have an accident on me or my guests heads!

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LOL--that was my main concern as well, but according to Macy at White Wings Dove release (vendor on LIW)-- she says that her birds have a special diet. They eat very early in the day (hours before their big 'show') and they're not allowed to eat until after the event--so no room for poop! lol

thanks for the post, i was wondering about their survival rates......
sorry just the science and bio major in me, i thought it seemed wrong to do....
thanks again fellow animal lover