Release Dove - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

A release dove refers to any breed

Breed

A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...

of domestic pigeon

Domestic Pigeon

The Domestic Pigeon was derived from the Rock Pigeon. The Rock Pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication of pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics.Research suggests that domestication of pigeons was as early as...

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 opening

Grand opening

Grand opening is a term used when a business, public office, or private association wishes to announce the official opening of a new location. This differs from just opening the doors on the first day, in that a grand opening is more of a celebration event, not just the first day having the doors...

s, sporting events, and many outdoor gatherings.

The preferred type of release doves are homing pigeon

Homing pigeon

The homing pigeon is a variety of domestic pigeon derived from the Rock Pigeon selectively bred to find its way home over extremely long distances. The wild rock pigeon has an innate homing ability, meaning that it will generally return to its own nest and its own mate...

s, a member of the rock pigeon

Rock Pigeon

The Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon, is a member of the bird family Columbidae . In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon"....

family, 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

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

White ringneck doves

Ringneck dove

Barbary Dove

The Ringneck Dove, Ring Dove, or Barbary Dove, Streptopelia risoria, is a domestic member of the dove family .Although the Ringneck Dove is normally assigned its own systematic name, as Streptopelia risoria, considerable doubt exists as to its appropriate classification...

s 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.

Homing pigeons

There are many breeds of homing pigeon

Homing pigeon

s, 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.

White racing pigeons

Racing Homer

A Racing Homer is a breed of pigeon that has been selectively bred for more speed, and enhanced homing instinct for the sport of Pigeon racing. A popular domestic pigeon breed, the Racing Homer is also one of the newest.-Development:...

are often used for ceremonial release. They are typically bigger and heavier than a release dove as their primary breeding focus has been racing speed. They are judged and selected for how quickly they return home. A breed of white racing homer called the Belgian Pletinckx can be used for white dove release ceremonies as 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

Pigeon racing

Pigeon racing is the sport of releasing specially trained racing pigeons, which then return to their homes over a carefully measured distance...

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

White dove release professional associations

External links

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