What happens to the birds once they are released?
home to their perches and to their first meal of the day. The doves have been specifically bred and trained to return home. Not all doves will return home, especially Turtle Doves from a pet store. How do released doves know where ‘home’ is? Nobody really knows. However, a well trained dove can navigate 100’s of miles to find there home. Most dove releases businesses stay within a 50 miles from home. While we are based in Moline, IL, our service area is presently 5-25 mile radius from our loft. We hope to be able to increase it over time. As the doves fly overhead, will they leave droppings on the guests? While there a no guarantees, birds usually do not defecate while flying. And they are intentionally not fed the night before your event to prevent any "accidents" and to encourage them to return home. Can the doves be released during the winter? Yes, as long as the temperature is not lower than (20 degrees). Is there any time and place when they cannot be released? We operate throughout the year. Unfortunately our birds cannot fly in extreme weather conditions (see cancellation below). They cannot be released indoors for obvious reasons. Their safety is of primary concern. Releases must be planned so that the birds arrive home before sunset. We can determine this in advance. We never release the birds close to sunset or after dark from a far distance. They need to have enough time to fly home before dark. When are the birds released? This is entirely up to you and us. Again, we will work with you and make recommendations and suggestions. What would prevent a release? For ‘Acts of God’ such as rain, snow, high winds, or other adverse conditions, we reserve the right to cancel the dove release. Our doves are our pets and we will not jeopardize their health and safety. Thus, all release deposits or payments will be fully refunded. However, display packages are not refundable or canceled. Deposit/ Payment Policy: Please make your reservation early as dates fill up quickly. A 50% deposit is required on booking of services, except funerals. Booking is confirmed when deposit is received. Full payment by cash, check, or money order (Presently we do not take Visa, or MasterCard but we are working on it) is required at least two weeks before the event. Please make checks payable to Heavenly Heights Dove Release. Our Policy: To release only well trained, well cared for white doves. We seek to maintain the highest professional standards in the operation of our business and knowledge of animal husbandry as it relates to our birds. We ensure that appropriate attire is worn for all events and that our release coordinators are 100% reliable and on time. • To return deposits for acts of God, etc. • To NOT release birds INDOORS. • To NOT release birds AT NIGHT. • To NOT release birds in INCLEMENT WEATHER. • To NOT ship birds by mail for self-release. • To NOT release birds beyond a range they are unable to safely fly... • To ensure that EVERY event has at least one knowledgeable release coordinator present. The Disease Myth: There is a widespread misconception that feral pigeons are carriers of disease. Pigeons are said to transmit several diseases; including toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, meningitis, and encephalitis. Pest control companies perpetuate this myth, but the truth is that pigeons pose little health risk to humans. Sixty years of epidemiological studies have found few cases of diseases transmitted from feral pigeons to humans. A researcher at Cornell University concluded, “Although feral pigeons pose sporadic health risks to humans, the risk is very low, even for humans involved in occupations that bring them into close contact with nesting sites.” Histoplasmosis, psittacosis, and cryptococcosis are diseases that can be transmitted to humans from contact with bird feces, but even the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says that the risk is “small”; people who have compromised immune systems have the greatest risk. |
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Heavenly Heights Dove Release
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| Two, one week old babies. |
| One of our breeders. |
| For more information about White Dove Releases click on the link below: |