Frequently Asked Questions

White Homing Pigeon Finally, we come to the reason for why it is necessary to make such a detailed explanation. Which is that some ill informed individuals believe that Dove Release business are engaged in some sort of animal cruelty, and they have become quite vocal about it. It is therefore necessary to educate the general public regarding the true nature of our business.

The bottom line is this: If we were to use any bird other than the White Homing Pigeon, it would be animal cruelty. Anybody found releasing the Ringneck Dove outside of it's natural environment should be prosecuted as such. The White Homing Pigeon, however, is a different case. It is a domesticated species and it has been bred for this purpose. It possesses both the instinct and intelligence to return to the safety of its loft. A local release, for this bird, is nothing more than a training exercise. We love our birds, otherwise, we wouldn't be in this business. Even though the birds are subject to the risk of predation, when we release our birds we fully anticipate to see them return home and to fly them again on another day. That the birds enjoy this routine is beyond question. So if you have any doubts about the birds you intend to use for your celebration, you should know the differences and similarities between the two. Photos are available on this link: The White Dove Release Professional

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Q.1 Are the doves harmed?

A. No, absolutely not. Our birds are trained to return to the safety of their loft as quickly as possible. Most releases occur on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, only 11 miles from their loft. Flying at 40 to 50 miles per hour, they are home and safe within minutes of release. The truth is, our birds have been bred for both beauty and speed. In fact, they are known as "white racing homers". When in the air, they easily out fly any predator, and are capable of flying hundreds of miles non-stop without tiring. A hundred miles is considered a "short" race, so we feel very comfortable in saying that they can easily accommodate the 35-mile length of Lake Tahoe.

Q.2 Can we hold the birds and release them by hand?

A. Yes, but we discourage people from holding the birds, because if handled incorrectly, they are easily hurt. However, if it is important to you, we can show you how to hold them. This will require you to take some time before the ceremony to learn the proper handling techniques. You must be aware the sometimes the birds will struggle, and that their claws can be quite sharp. When held correctly, their is no chance of being scratched or harming the birds, but it is an acquired skill and it will take some time to learn.

Q.3 Do the doves ever, ahh, well ... you know?

A. Generally no. We take special precautions to help ensure appropriate behavior. We only release our birds before their daily feeding. This is to insure that there are no accidents, but also because we want them to fly directly home. This is an essential part of their training. It is not their habit to take care of this business in flight, so there is no reason to worry about this, no matter what you may have seen in the TV commercials. There is, occasionally, some droppings on the bottom of the release basket, which is another reason why we discourage people from handling the birds.

Q.4 How long does it take them to get home?

A. They fly from 40 - 50 mph when in top condition, and usually fly non-stop until they get home. So in most cases for South Lake Tahoe, they will normally be home in minutes.

Q.5 Can the birds be released in a sunset ceremony?

A. Pigeons do not willingly fly at night, so sufficient time must be given for the birds to fly home. However, since their loft is close by for the majority of ceremonies they don't require much time to do so. As a result we can usually schedule close to evening. However, should the ceremony be delayed and the birds be judged to be at risk, the release will be cancelled without a refund. As this is highly objectionable to both parties, it is with great reluctance that we would attempt a sunset ceremony.

Q.6 How are they able to find their way home?

A. Their ability to return home from long distances has long eluded scientists. No one is sure how they find their way home, but they think it is possibly linked to the Sun’s position and the Earth’s magnetic fields at any given time, although memory may also play a role.

Q.7 What about bad weather?

A. The birds will never be released in heavy rain, fog, snow or other severe weather! We will make every effort to perform the dove release as long as it is safe for the birds. If the release is cancelled due to weather, a full refund will be issued.

Q.8 Can they be released inside?

A. No, definitely not. The release must take place with easy access to open sky.