Release Dove

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section may contain original research or unattributed claims. Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the talk page for details.

The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page.

Rock Pigeon
Rock Pigeon near the shore in Connecticut
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae Genus: Columba Species: C. livia
Binomial name
Columba livia Gmelin, 1789

The Release Dove is often used to commemorate important milestones of life such as weddings, birthdays, funerals, grand openings, sporting events, and many outdoor gatherings. White Homing pigeons are preferable to ringneck doves for ceremonial release because ringneck doves lack homing ability and may not survive in the wild.

The preferred type of Release Doves are homing pigeons, a member of the Rock Dove family, and some strains are specifically bred for ceremonial release.

Contents 1 Dove Ceremonies 1.1 Common wedding release ceremonies 1.2 Common memorial release ceremonies 2 Types of White Doves and Pigeons Used for Release 2.1 White Ringneck Doves 2.2 Homing Pigeons 2.3 White Racing Pigeons 2.4 Release Duv 2.4.1 Breeding 3 White Dove Release Professional Associations 4 References 5 See also 6 External links

[edit] Dove Ceremonies

Release Dove handlers each offer their own unique list of release ceremonies to choose from. When making arrangements to book a 'white dove release', please question the company about the homing ability of their birds, and that they are in fact able to return home. Some companies will offer either untrained homers, ringnecks, or other types of pigeon or dove. Those types of birds are likely to end up in the claws of a hawk, owl or cat, since they are unable to survive on their own in the wild.

[edit] Common wedding release ceremonies

• the "Hand Release" in which the bride and groom hold two doves which are then released together
• the "Flurry" or "flock release" in which the bride and groom release two birds by hand or from a box and then a larger group of doves are released shortly afterward to join them in the sky.

See Google for 'Wedding Dove Release Service'

[edit] Common memorial release ceremonies

• the "Spirit" in which a single dove is released,
• the "Trinity" in which three doves are released,
• the "12 Dove" in which a single dove is first released, followed by twelve doves.

See Google for 'Memorial Dove Release Service'

[edit] Types of White Doves and Pigeons Used for Release

Four types of birds have traditionally been used for ceremonial release.

[edit] White Ringneck Doves

Ringneck Doves are often smaller than pigeons. However, they are a bad choice for ceremonial release because they lack homing skills and do not return to their homes. Ringneck Doves are not native to North America and most cannot survive in the wild. Unfortunately, they are easily found for sale in pet stores by people who don't realize that releasing a Ringneck Dove will almost certainly result in its death.

[edit] Homing Pigeons

There are many breeds of homing pigeons, often called "Thoroughbreds of the Sky". Colored homing pigeons are often used for ceremonial release when white pigeons are not needed or not available. The most common breed of homing pigeon is bred for racing, and typically flies 300 to 600 miles in a race. The earliest homing pigeons were not used for racing, but to carry messages over long distances in a short amount of time. Today, long-distance homing pigeons fly 1000 miles or more. The two newest types of homing pigeons are White Racing Pigeons and Release Duvs.

[edit] White Racing Pigeons

White Racing Pigeons are often used for ceremonial release. They are typically bigger and heavier than a Release Duv as their primary breeding focus has been racing speed. They are judged and selected for how quickly they return home.

It should be noted that although many people refer to the white homing pigeon as "racing pigeons", not all white ceremonial release pigeons are used for racing. A racing pigeon is different only in that it is bred for speed, as well as homing ability; they are in fact the same type of bird.

[edit] Release Duv

Release Duvs are specifically bred for ceremonial release. Smaller and lighter, Release Duvs allow photographers to capture superb photographs, without the loud and frightening wing slapping of racing pigeons. Unlike white racing pigeons, which are bred to return home quickly, Release Duvs are bred to circle above their release point, remaining visible for a longer period of time. The spelling "duv" is used to distinguish a white homing pigeon bred for ceremonial release from both ringneck doves, which lack homing ability, and from white racing pigeons which are bred to return home quickly.

The Release Duv is the only breed of pigeon known to be bred for all three divisions of the domestic pigeon world:

• Utility breeds, primarily developed for commercial use
• Performance breeds, primarily developed for flying skills
• Fancy breeds, primarily developed for beauty or show qualities.

[edit] Breeding

Traits for which Release Duv breeding stock is selected include, homing as judged by single toss releases, circling as judged by a Flyoff scoring system, tameness, smaller size, and beauty traits as judged by a show standard. Some breeders select for additional traits such as fertility or vocalization.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] White Dove Release Professional Associations

• National White Dove Release Society
• International White Dove Society
• American White Dove Release Association
• White Dove Release Professionals

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Tipplers
• Fantails
• Homing pigeons
• List of Pigeon Breeds
• Rock Dove

[edit] External links

• National Pigeon Association (USA)
• American Racing Pigeon Union
• International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers
• National Pigeon Association (Great Britain)
• Canadian Racing Pigeon Union
• The Canadian Pigeon Fanciers Association
• White Dove Breeders Guild Forum