Answers to FAQs

Are they pigeons or doves?
Heavenly Doves breed and train white rock doves, also known as homing pigeons (Columba livia). These are the only type of doves that should be released at outdoor functions.

How are the doves released?
It differs slightly depending on the actual event, but usually at the end of the event the doves are gently given to those who want to release them by hand or their box or cage is opened and the doves are liberated.
If you want to hold the doves we take a moment to make sure you and the dove are comfortable and we also make sure those with cameras are ready for the photo.All you need to tell us is the date, time and location you want the doves released and we take care of the rest.
If the doves are being displayed at an event, someone from Heavenly Doves is always close by to make sure the doves are safe and to answer any questions that people have.

Where do they go after they are released?
We take a lot of time to train the doves to follow their natural instinct which is to fly back to where they were born ie. our lofts

How are they trained ?
I can't tell you - it's a trade secret!!
Our philosophy for our doves is that if they have a good diet and follow a good exercise program then they will perform how they are supposed to (ie. figure out where they are and fly home as quickly as possible after being released). Also we always check for any illnesses and never take birds out that are sick or recovering from an illness.

How do they know how to fly home?
The instinct of the homing pigeon is legendary - but how it works has never been conclusively proven - but here's the best explanation I can find.
Scientists have conducted experiments to figure out this mystery and they guess that birds have an internal bird-sized version of a "satellite-navigation device" in their brain. This works in combination with highly sensitive vision, smell and hearing.
If trained and exercised from a young age, homing pigeons have the ability to find "home" from places they have never been before, even if they are 100s of kilometres away.

How far can they fly?
Racing pigeons can fly thousands of kilometres. Birds bred at our lofts have come home from about 300km but we don't like to take our doves more than about 80km away (which means anywhere in the Sydney Metropolitan area).

Will they make a mess on me?
Our doves are cleaned and groomed to perfection before we take them out on the town. But there is a small possibility that they will poo on you if you hold them...well they are real live animals. But it rarely ever happens.
We always bring supplies to clean up any mess that they might make - so you have nothing to worry about. Anyway, someone once told me that it is good luck for a dove to poo on you !!

Can children hold the doves and release them?Older children can. Younger children (up to age 10) can only if an adult helps them.

Why can't people go out and buy some white doves from a pet shop and release them?
Some people think they are saving money buy purchasing rigneck doves from petshops. Releasing ringneck doves is cruel because they don't have any homing instinct. They are domestic animals that are accustomed to being supplied with food and water and they would then have to fend for themselves. Ringneck doves are also easy prey for cats and dogs because most have lost the ability to protect themselves from predators.
If you hire or purchase white homing pigeons to release, be sure to ask if they will fly home otherwise the same situation applies. White homing pigeons not trained properly to fly home usually go and join the population of feral pigeons that roost in parks and buildings around the city and make lots of mess, if they manage to survive outside captivity.
Also if you are purchasing birds from a backyard breeder or pet shop, you can't be sure that they don't carry lice, worms or other diseases. The birds in Heavenly Doves lofts are regularly vet checked Click here to read FAQs that can be answered by our vet and medicated for common bird diseases.
So even if you don't hire Heavenly Doves, be sure to ask questions to make sure that the doves you use are from a reputable "white dove releaser".

Can they be released inside?
For inside events we can use tame fantail doves. These can be displayed in our decorative cages at an indoor or evening event.
If you want our fantail doves to fly out from a wedding cake you need permission from a representative of the reception venue.

People sometimes like to have fantails (also called dancing doves) on the floor as they are doing their bridal waltz. We can also arrange this with permission from the reception venue, but the doves can only be let out while the bride and groom are dancing. When other guests start to dance, we put the fantails back in their cage to minimise any risks of them getting stressed.Heavenly Doves staff will always be present while doves are out of their cages at an indoor event and if we decide that the birds are not happy we will replace them in their cage.

What if it rains?
We are always concerned about the welfare of our birds so if we decide that the weather is not good for a dove release (too windy, hot or rainy) we will substitute them for another service if possible or refund in full all money paid.

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Here is an 11 minute video that explains a lot about racing pigeons (from an Irish perspective) and illustrates very clearly what we pigeon owners go through if our birds come home late....

General FAQs about pigeons and doves

What do doves eat?
Domestic pigeons and doves usually feed on a mix of grains including wheat, milo, safflower, corn, peas, barley etc.

They also occasionally like to eat green vegetables such as spinach or broccoli. As a treat they like apple, mashed up hard boiled eggs or mealworms.

It is also essential for them to have grit such as crushed egg shells or oyster shells to aid in digestion.


In the wild pigeons and doves, depending on their species will feed on seeds, fruit, grasses or insects.

How can you tell the difference between a male and a female pigeon or dove?
~Question asked by Mary(USA) and Jamie(UK)~

Male and female pigeons differ slightly in their appearance. Male pigeons often have a slightly bigger, rounder head than the female. Females pigeons heads can also be a bit flatter on top. Wild and domesticated doves have their own differences depending on the species. Visit The American Dove Association to find out about specific dove species.
Another way to sex pigeons or doves is to watch their behaviour. A male may "crow around". This means he puffs his chest up a little bit and walks around making cooing noises and bobbing his head up and down. Females don't usually exhibit this behaviour.

What is the gestation, parturition and incubation period of a dove?
~Question asked by Emma (UK)~

Gestation (period of time from conception to egg being laid):
approx. 18 days

Parturition (period of time it takes for female to lay the egg):
a young bird would take longer than an older hen but it should take the bird less than 12 hours.

Incubation (period of time from egg laying to hatching):
18-20 days

What do baby doves eat?
Newly hatched doves consume "crop milk". Both parents make this milk for their offspring and regurgitate it into the young bird's mouth.
As the young bird gets older it is gradually wheened onto solid bird food (grains and seeds) and starts learning to peck the seed for itself. It takes about 4 to 5 weeks for a bird to learn to fend for itself.

What are the most common species of doves?
The species of doves most often kept by breeders are the ringneck dove, diamond dove and turtle dove.
See The American Dove Association
for specific answers about all the different species of doves.

Do you have a question that wasn't answered here? Put it in the form below and we'll do our best to answer it. If it is a really good question, we'll add it to this page.

Racing Pigeons by David Glover and Marie Beaumont
We own this book and recommend it. It has useful tips for experienced pigeon keepers, but also goes into the basics for those new to the sport - Pete and Tam from Heavenly Doves

This book is a very good one and has lots of pictures that give the reader a clear picture of what he is describing in the text. There are not many good books on the racing side of the sport so this one should be welcomed. I would highly recommend it to anyone that has an interest in learning more about raising or racing pigeons. - An Amazon.com reviewer


Pigeons (Barron's Pet Owner's Manual) by Matthew Vriends

Here is everything bird fanciers need to know about keeping pigeons, including general health care, breeding, instruction on housing, feeding, protection against disease and parasites etc. It is heavily illustrated with color photos and instructive line art. There is also information on various members of the pigeon family, and on breeding pigeons for racing.

How to Build Everything You Need for Your Birds, from Aviaries...to Nestboxes by Dominic Larosa

This is a construction manual intended for both budding novices and experienced bird breeders alike. Comprehensively written and professionally illustrated, the book is loaded with construction details, diagrams and pictures, material lists, insulating and finishing techniques and tips, environmental concerns, simple step by step instructions and, essentially, everything you need to know about building everything you need for your birds.

Every plan and construction detail is compiled from years of hands on experience by the author in the raising and breeding of birds ranging from finches, canaries and larger softbills to most of the hardbills including (but not limited to) parakeets, budgies, and cockatiels, on up to amazons, cockatoos, macaws, and so on. There are projects ranging from simple houses, cages, breeding and nesting quarters to small, medium, large and grand scale aviaries, all designed and detailed with both the beginning hobbyist and serious fancier, alike, in mind.

Extraordinary Pigeons by Stephen Green-Armytage
This book is a follow-up from Amazing Chickens. This arresting new volume looks at pigeon breeds from around the world. It captures pigeons as we have never seen before-the eccentric and often surprising features of these amazing creatures. Pigeons of all sizes, shapes, and colors parade through these pages-from the Volga Tumbler Pigeons to the Philippine Bleeding Heart Doves (doves are actually pigeons, just small ones), from the flamboyant Jacobins who wear their lavish feathers like a boa, and the Pouters who puff out their chests to absurd proportions, to the Trumpeters who sport floppy crowns reminiscent of moptop 1960s pop groups. The astonishing color photographs, enhanced by a brief, informative text, make this a perfect gift for birders, breeders, animal lovers, and photography buffs alike.

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