Bird sighting reports come in every June on different listservs and hotlines sharing the discovery of unique, pure white doves, and debates will rage whether the birds are albino or leucistic. In fact, many of these birds are neither – they're wedding doves.

About Wedding Doves

The large white doves that are often released for weddings are none other than specially bred, pure white racing or homing pigeons – the same Columba livia that is considered such a menace and nuisance in many urban areas.

Unlike feral city pigeons, however, celebration release doves for weddings, memorials and other special occasions are carefully bred and meticulously trained so they will faithfully return to their home loft when released in distant and unfamiliar locations. Reputable white dove release operators care for the birds well with a healthy, nutritious diet, careful medical attention, regular cleanings, spacious cages and other comforts to ensure the birds are healthy and able to perform as desired.

Unfortunately, less reputable dove release agents may not use homing or racing pigeons, but instead will purchase smaller, untrained white pigeons – frequently domesticated ringed-turtle doves (Streptopelia risoria) – to release. These domesticated doves are not trained to return to their lofts and instead become lost in parks and urban or suburban areas. While they can survive on human handouts for quite some time, their demise is inevitable since they do not have the same survival skills for finding food and evading predators as their wild kin.

Neither white rock pigeons nor white ringed-turtle doves are truly wild birds, and they are not accepted on formal life lists by birding organizations. While some birders will note sightings of these birds as an interesting anomaly, they do not warrant additional attention from birders beyond seeing that the birds are taken into custody to be properly cared for, either through a rescue organization or their appropriate owners.

Responsible Wedding Dove Releases

Birders and non-birders alike frequently enjoy white dove releases, particularly for weddings. White doves are symbolic of peace, love, luck and prosperity, all things that are highly desired in any new marriage. Couples may release a pair or flock of doves after their first husband-wife kiss or as they exit the wedding ceremony location, symbolizing their life together taking flight.

When choosing a wedding dove release company, always look for a reputable, responsible business. Signs to investigate include…

• Bird Health: The birds should be well fed with healthy, clean plumage. Birds should take flight immediately with strong wing beats and eager flight.
  
  
• Bird Safety: A reputable release business will not endanger its birds, not only for the birds' health, but because each bird represents a significant investment in training and care. Wedding dove releases are not performed at night since rock pigeons do not see well enough to fly safely at night, and the birds will not be released in inclement weather.
  
  
• Release Distance: While homing pigeons can travel hundreds of miles after a release, the further away the their home loft is the less likely it is they will survive the journey. A reputable dove release company will limit the range in which the birds will be released, usually to less than 100 miles.

If You Find a Wedding Dove

Birders who find a white wedding dove should report the animal as they would any lost pet bird. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or bird rescue group for assistance and to get the bird proper care. If the bird is a true wedding dove, it is likely to be banded and can be returned easily to its rightful owner. If the bird is an albino or pale ringed turtle dove or ringneck dove, it can be placed with an adoptive owner and treated to the life it was meant to lead as a pampered pet.

Photo – Wedding Dove © Bay Area Doves