Frequently Asked Questions  

Where do the doves go after they are released?

What is a loft?

Doves released at your Ceremony will fly back to their Loft or Dovecote located in Woodstock. The Loft entrance for the birds is open for them to go inside immediately upon their arrival. My Lofts are at my home in Woodstock, Georgia. Note: See release policy page for more details.

A loft is a special room dedicated to housing birds of special flight.  An entrance and exit platform is installed for the team to ingress and egress.  In the loft each bird has their own perch where they spend the night and rest during the day. The doves know that this is where they receive nourishment and where they want to be. This is home that they love, their perch, and nest box. In the breeding season couples occupy the nest boxes that are located in the loft.  The doves mate for life and both partners participate in nest building, incubating, and feeding the nestlings. The hatchlings are fed special “milk” that develops in both parents crop after the two weeks of incubation.  In several weeks the squabs begin to feather out and will soon be able to eat on their own. Now they begin practice spreading their wings. They are placed on a special diet prior to release and their main objective is to return home. Doves utilized for releases are experienced and have been trained in many practice situations and are seasoned athletes. 

How do the birds know how to get back to the loft?

After the doves are released a miracle of nature takes place that enables them to find their way back home from great distances.  They possess a keen sense of smell and sight. They have also the ability to read magnetic fields and see polarized and ultra violet light waves. These are thought to be just some of the senses they use to complete their journey. When the birds first begin to fly they are taken to ever increasing distances in all directions and orientate themselves to travel routes home.  Not all birds possess this homing ability.  The birds here at “The Lofts” are bred from racing stock developed for many years and thus possess the skills and stamina to return home safely from great distances.  They are truly one of Natures greatest athletes.