Release dove

White release dove.

A release dove is a breed of Rock Dove (domestic pigeon) used for ceremonial release. Release doves are often used to commemorate important milestones of life and offerings of hope at weddings and birthdays and as representing the soul's final journey at funerals. They are also released at grand openings, sporting events, and many outdoor gatherings.

The preferred type of release doves are homing pigeons, a member of the rock dove species, and some strains are specifically bred for ceremonial release. White homing pigeons are preferable to ringneck doves for ceremonial release because ringneck doves lack homing ability and may not survive in the wild.

Dove ceremonies

Release dove handlers each offer their own unique list of release ceremonies to choose from. 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.

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.

Common memorial release ceremonies

• the "spirit" in which a single dove is released,
• the "trinity" in which three doves are released, followed by a single dove representing the soul of the deceased.
• the "12 dove" in which a single dove is first released, followed by twelve doves.

Types of white doves and pigeons used for release

Many of these birds are used for the release industry as well as for racing.

One strain of white homing pigeon, and most common, is the Stielbacht.

Many birds have been used for ceremonial releases. But only the Rock Dove has been use traditionally as a messenger of the event that they are released at.

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 pure white homing pigeons are not needed or not available. The most common breed of homing pigeon is bred for racing, and typically flies 480 km (300 miles) to 970 km (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 1,600 km (1,000 miles) or more. All racers are judged and selected for how quickly they return home.

White homing pigeons

White racing pigeons are most often used for ceremonial release. The pure white pigeon or Rock Dove is associated with all good traits: peace, hope, love, goodwill and family to name a few. They are typically bigger and can be heavier than other Racing Homers as their primary breeding focus has been their ability to fly from many different locations and their looks rather than flight from a few select locations at a high rate of speed. A breed of white Racing Homer called the Belgian Pletinckx can be used for white dove release ceremonies and they make good racers.

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 the sport of pigeon racing and breeders select for speed, as well as homing ability; they are in fact the same type of bird.

See also

• Balloon release
• Sky lantern

External links

• Professional White Dove Release Association - US, Canada, Great Britain
• White Dove Directory - find a release
• 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
• National White Dove Release Society