About our Birds

NWDRS members know how important it is to fly only Rock Doves (homing pigeons) in their release business because they have a natural homing instinct. The care and training that our birds receive enhances their natural homing ability to return safely to their loft following each release.

These trained white homing pigeons are capable of flying hundreds of miles and returning safely to their comfortable lofts. Each business decides what distances they will cover and keep their birds in condition to cover that distance. Just as any athlete needs to be in top condition to perform, these birds need to exercise regularly to perform their duties. They are truly pampered and well cared for by each business.

It has come to our attention that Ringneck Doves and untrained Rock Doves are being released at some venues. The NWDRS considers this practice unethical and immoral.

Ringneck Doves have no homing ability and are not strong fliers. Releasing Ringneck Doves is inhumane as they can become easy prey to a great number of predators; causing certain death.

Untrained Rock Doves (or homing pigeons) purchased online and shipped for use at weddings and funerals will likely arrive stressed, dehydrated, and confused. When released, these birds may land and stay in the area as they will have no home to go to. They will not represent the beautiful and memorable flight of the professionally trained Rock Dove.

Please contact one of our members to provide you with a safe, humane, and professional white dove release. If we do not have a NWDRS member in your area, we will try our best to refer you to another reputable handler.

For more information, please see Dove Release Facts by the American Dove Association.

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Ringneck Doves are smaller than Rock Doves, and have no ceres on their beaks.
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(A cere is the soft, fleshy, typically bare patch at the base of the upper side of the bill of some bird species, particularly many birds of prey, owls, doves, skuas, turkeys, curassows, and parrots.)


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Rock Doves, or homing pigeons, are larger and sturdier than a Ringneck Dove. The older they are, the larger their ceres. They should have a seamless band on one leg, which can trace them back to their home loft or breeder.