Frequently Asked Questions
Albuquerque Dove Release takes great pride in how we care for and train our doves. The health and safety of our doves comes first. Here are some frequently asked questions concerning dove release. If you don't find an answer to a question you might have, please feel free to contact us.
Why can't I just release some doves I buy at the pet store?
The birds you find at a pet store for under $20 are usually "ring neck" doves. Not only can they not find their way home, they cannot really fly any great distance! This makes them easy targets for predators as they are not conditioned to be out in the wild on their own.
Do you use pigeons or doves?
We use well-trained white racing pigeons, also known as "rock doves." These are the only type of birds that should be used for dove releases. These birds have been bred for generations for their ability to fly home from long distances.
Any other type of dove or pigeon is unsuitable for dove releases because they are not conditioned to survive in the wild and do not have the "homing" ability our birds have.
My wedding is scheduled for the evening - can I still release doves?
It depends on how close to sunset your wedding is scheduled. We require the doves be released at least 40 minutes before sundown in order to give them ample time to make it home before dark.
What if the weather is bad at my event?
We will not release any of our birds if the weather would cause them harm. If we deem the weather too harsh for our birds on the day of your event, we will of course refund your fee less a $25 non-refundable deposit under such circumstances.
I'm getting married in Taos - can I release your doves at my wedding?
While our birds are capable of flying distances over 100 miles, we only service the greater Albuquerque area (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Los Lunas and Bosque Farms).
Can I release the doves myself?
Yes. But, we require you release the doves from a basket or from your hands. Our dove release specialist will demonstrate the proper way to handle the doves for both the safety of the doves and our clients. One of our trained dove release handlers must be present at the time of the release. We won't ever drop off doves at an event to be released later.