How to Train Wedding Doves

Many couples dream of having white doves released on their wedding day as a symbol of their love. What some people don't know is that the birds used in those romantic scenes in the movies are typically homing pigeons. You can find white doves in some pet stores or buy them from breeders online, but while you might be able to tame these doves, this training will probably be limited to teaching them to return to their cage or perch on your shoulder.

Things You'll Need

• Bird seeds
• Cage

Instructions

1. Get to know your doves and get used to handling them. Spend as much time as you can petting the birds and letting them become familiar with you. The more comfortable the doves are with you, the better your training will go.

2. Try using treats such as cracked corn, chopped peanuts and wheat to train the doves. Repeat this action to teach the birds that they will receive a treat when they perform certain actions. The reward method will not necessarily work, but it could aid in your training efforts.

3. Whistle at your doves as you would a pet dog to summon them back to their cage or to your shoulder. With repetition, the whistle may be effective in coaxing the doves.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want a bird that looks like a dove but is much easier to train, buy a homing pigeon for your special day.

• Keep your doves inside. Doves don't have homing instincts. They can't fly more than a couple of feet away and can't fend for themselves. This makes them easy prey for predators such as cats, dogs and foxes.

References

• Bird Hobbyist: Doves and Pigeons as Pets
• Santa Barbara Doves: Professional White Dove Releases and Display

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish