April 28, 2008

Dear Abby- there is a difference between white doves and white homing pigeons

Filed under: White Birds — George Marcum @ 11:19 am

The headline reads “Certain death, not freedom, follows doves” in today’s Dayton Daily News. It’s Dear Abby weighing in on releasing white doves at weddings.

Yes, releasing raised in captivity white doves would be deadly to the birds- however, we don’t release doves, we release trained white homing pigeons that fly back to our coop.

If you are planning a wedding in Dayton Ohio and want to have a spectacular release of white birds in your ceremony, our birds will give you that effect- and all of them will return safely home.

If releasing white pigeons doesn’t sound as sexy as releasing white doves, realize that the two birds are almost identical.

August 1, 2006

Toledo Wedding Guide on Dove (White Pigeon) Release at Weddings

Filed under: Articles,White Birds — George Marcum @ 8:39 am

Dove Release Traditionally, couple were showered with grain or nuts as a wish for a large harvest or family. This custom evolved into the throwing of rice. But hurled rice can sting and is harmful to birds if eaten.

The newest addition to Bay Area weddings comes from another old European custom of dove releases. In France and Italy, these live doves are sometimes released from cages placed atop the wedding cake.

In the American adaptation, doves, which symbolize peace, innocence, gentleness, and conjugal affection, are now released outdoors when the couple leaves the church or wedding site. The trained white doves, ranging in number from two to thirty, circle the couple, then fly away, denoting the newlyweds departure from their families.

Dove trainers welcome your inquiries and may invite you to watch as they train or exercise their birds.

from: www.toledoweddingguide.com

Denvergov.org’s Fly a Kite for Peace Article

Filed under: Articles,White Birds — George Marcum @ 8:36 am
Fly a Kite for Peace


The 19th Annual One Sky One World Kite Fly for Peace takes place October 10.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2004 — Spend a Sunday at Sloan’s Lake Park flying a kite – or just watching the wind lift beautiful kites in the air – at the One Sky One World Kite Fly for Peace. This annual international festival takes place October 10 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This day of fun has only one purpose: to promote the concept of global harmony and understanding through the universality of kites.

One Sky One World kite Whether you decide to fly a kite or not, expect to be thoroughly entertained at the event. Tina Marx and the Millionaires, a well-known Colorado variety dance band, will be performing on the D-Note Show Wagon Stage. Also appearing will be the seniors dance group “A Step Above,” as well as blues, jazz and brass musical groups. A second stage will feature the Balinese Gamelan musicians, Tunas Mekar, the Ethnic JukeBox, the Edgewater Band, and the Mumbles.

At noon, hundreds of Peace Doves will be released over the park, sponsored by White Birds Unlimited. Following the dove release, many schools, organizations and individuals will participate in a special One Sky One World project, to wrap Sloan’s Lake with fabric. Sloan’s Lake is Denver’s largest lake, and this undertaking will require an astounding 2.7 miles of fabric!

If the wind cooperates, kites will fly all day. But be sure and take a break to enjoy the many booths that will be open to share children’s activities, kite making lessons, food, arts and crafts, community organizations, and much, much more.

One Sky One World Kite Fly for Peace is an international event that will be taking place across the world on October 10. Kite flying is the chosen festivity because the wind, acting as the kite’s ocean of air, favors no dividing boundaries, ideologies, or human conflicts.

July 24, 2006

BirdHobbyist.com’s Doves and Pigeons as Pets Article

Filed under: Articles,White Birds — George Marcum @ 8:55 am

Doves and Pigeons as Pets
By PH Budgie

Doves and pigeons, domesticated for thousands of years, have been used in the past as sacrifices to gods, raised for food and kept as pets. Pigeons have carried messages across battlefields and from town to town, been couriers of news from distant relatives or reporters, and transported vital medications to dying people. Nowadays tame pigeons are still used to carry messages, but more commonly are raised for racing, meat, scientific experimentation and “white dove” releases at weddings. A few species of doves are raised as pets and the white Ringneck Doves are often used in magic shows. Wild dove and pigeon hunting is still a popular sport. Over 300 species of the family Columbidae, the classification name for doves and pigeons, exist in the world. The United States has nine native and four introduced species of doves or pigeons.

The difference between doves and pigeons is mostly size. Doves are generally sleeker and smaller with pointed tails, while pigeons are larger and stockier with rounded tails. The common urban pigeon is also known as a “Rock Dove.” The popular white dove releases at various celebrations are billed as “dove” releases, but ethical companies always use white homing pigeons, as they return home.

Doves and pigeons make excellent pets. They are attractive, quiet, unobtrusive, have a calming, gentle voice, are fairly easy to tame, generally healthy and hardy, active but not demanding, require little maintenance and are usually inexpensive. They are easy to breed and make excellent parents. (more…)

LIWeddings.com’s White Dove Releases, Facts and Fiction Article

Filed under: Articles,White Birds — George Marcum @ 8:50 am

White Dove Releases, Facts and Fiction
by WhiteWings NY Dove Releases

Doves are symbolic of celebration, new beginnings, peace, love, serenity and the Holy Spirit. They have been used in ceremonies throughout the world for centuries. Their beauty, as they soar into the sky and circle overhead is truly breathtaking.

Doves can represent eternal life, love, happiness and unity. They signify the celebration of the beginning of your new marriage together. This is a unique way to express that special love and joy you are feeling on your wedding day and really “wow” your family and guests. Something about them just tugs at our hearts! But it must be performed by professionals.

Most professionals, as we are, proudly belong to an association such as The White Dove Release Professionals www.white-dove-releases.com. They are a group of liked-minded business people that share a very high standard of ethics in business practices and the treatment of birds. They clearly post their release policy on their websites so you know what to expect. (more…)

Dove Release Tips for your Wedding Article

Filed under: Articles,White Birds — George Marcum @ 8:44 am

Dove Release Tips for your Wedding Articles Ceremony Dove & Butterfly Releases 2become1weddings Gowns Gifts Planning
Dove Release Tips for your Wedding

two birds in cage.jpg

1. After you have reserved your white dove release, write down the way you envision your dove release. Give a copy of this to your dove release company. A White Dove Release can be very flexible! They should do everything they can to make it come as close to your dreams as possible.

2. Choose a beautiful poem to read before your dove release. Either have your officiant read it or choose a close friend or family member. This will make it extra special. (more…)

July 21, 2006

Dove release for weddings

Filed under: White Birds — George Marcum @ 11:54 am

Dayton area brides and grooms to be should consider releasing white homing pigeons at their wedding for a magical and memorable moment.  Although doves are believed to be the type of bird released at weddings and other special occasions it is actual white homing pigeons that are let loose because they are much stronger flyers and are able to make it home safely unlike a dove.

White Bird Release has helped make special moments at weddings for over a year.  It is an impressive symbol of two individual’s love to release these wonderful birds into the air.

White Bird Release also releases their white homing pigeons at other special events like funerals and memorials in the Dayton area.

If you have a special occasion coming up and are interested in having a dove (white homing pigeon) release please contact George at (937) 224-3447.

Psalm 55-6

Filed under: White Birds — George Marcum @ 10:50 am

Oh that I had wing’s like a dove for then would I fly away and be at rest.

July 20, 2006

UltimateWedding.com Dove Release Information Article

Filed under: Articles,White Birds — George Marcum @ 8:28 am

“Dove Release Information”
Written by Kristel Simmonds-Cobb Kristel Simmonds-Cobb Brooklyn, NY

It has been said that if doves are seen on your wedding day, a happy home is assured. Therefore as a spectacular addition to your wedding, you may wish to consider a white dove release.

Doves have traditionally symbolized love, fidelity, peace and prosperity; therefore they are the perfect symbol for the union of a bride and groom. However before you decide to arrange for a dove release, you should keep the following things in mind:

A dove release should only be performed by a professional release company. A reputable dove release company will raise, train and care for their birds properly. Do not use a company who offers to mail the doves to you for a self-release. Also, a knowledgeable and properly attired representative of the company should be present at your wedding to ensure a beautiful and safe release of the doves. The Association of White Dove Release Professionals has established a set of standards that reputable member companies adhere to.

A dove release company should only use white racing homing pigeons in their releases. The doves that are typically sold in pet stores (ring neck doves) should not be used for releases as they are ill equipped to deal with the hazards of the wild and predators. Homing pigeons are related to the dove species but they are larger and are specially bred and trained to fly long distances. However, it is generally recommended that a release be done within 50 miles of their loft.

A dove release should be done at least two hours prior to sunset. This is to give the birds the chance to return to their loft since they will lose their navigational ability after the sun sets.

A dove release should not be done during inclement weather.

A dove release should only be done outdoors. If your wedding ceremony is held in a house of worship, a release can be done on the steps of the site at the conclusion of the ceremony.

To minimize the chance of an �accident� during a release, the doves should be on a special feeding program. During your interview with the release company you can ask for further details.

When properly done, a white dove release can add a special touch to your wedding; making it one that you and your guests will never forget.

July 19, 2006

Process of White Bird Releasing

Filed under: White Birds — George Marcum @ 8:54 am

The birds used are in white “dove” releases are actually white homing pigeons which are related to doves. Actual doves are too fragile to make the flight home and do not have a natural homing sensor to even have the ability to find their way home.  White homing pigeons are slightly larger, have the homing ability, and are stronger flyers, but the average person would not be able to tell the difference between a dove and a white homing pigeon.

In order to ensure that the birds arrive safely home they require on site training prior to the event. Different birds will take flight in different directions and can only travel a certain distance, so the location of the event is important when requesting the birds.

On the day of the event the birds will be released at any desired time in any safe location. The number of white birds is in the discretion of the customer. The cost depends on distance the white homing pigeons will need to travel and the number of birds desired.

It is truly a beautiful site when white birds fly up into the air at once at the opportune time.