What happens to the birds when they are released?
When released, our doves normally circle the area a few times in formation, before acquiring their bearings and flying home. Once home, they are rewarded with fresh water and food.
Can I have a white dove release anywhere?
There are some areas we will not release our birds. For a safe dove release, the area must be free of overhead wires and sufficiently open to allow the doves freedom of flight. If you have an unusual request, please contact us. We have some general guidelines that include the following:
- A dove release should be done at least two hours prior to sunset. This is to give the birds the chance to return to their loft since they will lose their navigational ability after the sun sets.
- A dove release should not be done during inclement weather.
- A dove release should only be done outdoors.
How do they know where their home is?
These particular doves are bred and trained to return to the safety of their home from over 500 miles away in just one day and possess a natural instinct to find their way home. In practice, we keep our birds within 50 miles from their home in Lakeland, FL.
How are the doves trained to fly home?
We begin handling our birds at just a few weeks of age and homing training starts about 10 weeks later. Initially we start with small distances and then build up to longer flights.
Who releases the doves?
A Touch Above is always present at the time of release. Our professional staff, is courteous, reliable, and dressed appropriately for your occasion. We never ship the birds to be released. However, various people can hold and enjoy the thrill of releasing the doves with our guidance.
How does the weather affect a dove release?
If the weather is inclement, then the release will be cancelled and no fee will be assessed. Also, a release cannot take place less then 2 hours before sundown, so the birds have time to fly home. Generally no release is performed after 5 p.m.
What is the release area for your dove releases?
Within an 50 mile radius of central Florida near Lakeland.
When are doves released at a wedding?
It can be done at any time during an outdoor wedding. If it is a church affair, dove releases for weddings are typically performed after the couple exits the church to greet their guests.
Can I hold a dove?
Yes. We will show you how. Representatives from A Touch Above are always on hand and can guide guests in holding and releasing the doves at the proper moment. Our doves are easily handled, and the experience of sending one winging on its way skyward can be quite thrilling.
Do I need to worry about doves going to the bathroom during a release?
We pick the best birds for that day. They are trained birds and have not responded that way in any release. The actual release only lasts but a few moments, so the chances of this happening are possible, but unlikely.
What type of dove is used in the release?
While bird releases at various celebrations are billed as “dove” releases, no ethical company would release a true dove. An actual dove is smaller, not a strong flyer, and has no homing instinct. It would be potentially cruel to perform a dove release with members of the species Streptopelia risoria.
Related to doves, white homing pigeons are a variety of the species Columba livia domestica. They are slightly larger, have the homing ability, and are stronger flyers. We always use white homing pigeons, as they return home.
Unless you are an ornithologist, it is unlikely you will be able to tell the difference between a dove and a white homing pigeon. But no matter your profession, our enthusiastic little performers will capture your heart.
Do you provide butterfly releases too?
No. Our birds are true performers, enjoy a pampered life, and are rewarded for their efforts. However beautiful butterflies may be, they can never be more than kidnap victims forced to spend a part of their short lives in captivity and far from home. Often butterflies are delivered injured and, unable to fend for themselves, fly away to an early death.
Service Area
In Florida, A Touch Above serves customers in an 30 mile radius of central Florida near Lakeland. We are proud to offer our celebrated dove release services to the cities of Bartow, Brandon, Clearwater, Dade City, Lakeland, Plant City, St. Petersburg, Riverview, Tampa, Valrico, Winter Haven, and Zephyrhills.