July 24, 2006
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…)
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 Articles Ceremony Dove & Butterfly Releases 2become1weddings Gowns Gifts Planning
Dove Release Tips for your Wedding
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
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.
Oh that I had wing’s like a dove for then would I fly away and be at rest.
July 20, 2006
“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
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.
Wedding Planning Articles
# 4 – After-Ceremony “Releases”
Many wedding properties do not allow the guests to throw rice after the ceremony (it’s an inconvenient chore to clean up). You have many options to get the same affect. One option is to give bubble containers to the guests to blow bubbles outside the ceremony. This makes a beautiful scene and it’s fun to do. Butterfly releases is another option. Legend has it that butterflies are good luck and they make a spectacular moment! Dove releases is yet another popular option. Doves are released by the Bride and Groom after the ceremony, or many doves can be released right after the ceremony. Contact the local yellow pages, regional bridal magazines or Internet sites for the vendors near your wedding site. Your property may already have relationships with these service providers.
July 18, 2006
News Articles: Lauril’s Loft White Dove Release in Bellingham, WA
Twinkle lost his toe in an unfortunate garage door accident and now lives at the neighbor’s house. Ghio’s children suspect he ran away because he couldn’t attract a mate as an amputee.
Ghio, owner of Lauril’s Loft White Dove Release, still has 28 more homing pigeons (rock doves), which are trained to return to Ghio’s farm.
Real white ring-neck doves do not have a homing instinct and are not used in releases.
Ghio, 37, named her business after her two children, Lauren, 7, and Riley, 9. She involves both kids in the business and plans to turn it over to them when they reach high school age.
(read full article here)
Auburn Journal : Top Stories
Kathy Dusart of Doves of White releases several feathered friends after the river blessing ceremony at the Confluence Festival Sunday. The doves return home to Colfax.
