White Pigeon !!

For a City apartment dweller, the exotic bird that we get to see  daily,  next to Crow is perhaps Pigeon.

 

Pigeon plumage color varies widely, but most wild pigeons are bluish-gray with two black bars on their wings and a black-tipped tail. They often have iridescent green and purple feathers on their necks.   Then there are these attractive White Ones. White pigeons, often called white doves, are generally recognized as a symbol of peace and are commonly used in ceremonial releases, such as those at weddings. They are a popular choice for releases due to their clean white color and association with purity. 

White dove releases have a long history, dating back over 5,000 years to ancient Egypt. They have been used in various cultures and ceremonies, symbolizing love, peace, freedom, and new beginnings. In weddings, doves represented love and devotion, while in funerals, they symbolized the spirit's departure.  Doves were first released during the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, symbolizing peace, and this tradition has been replicated in some form at subsequent Olympic opening ceremonies. 

Well, life ends after release and not many would care to think – what happens next !!  When white doves are released, they either return to their home lofts or face a difficult survival situation in the wild. If they are trained homing pigeons, they will fly back to their owners' lofts or facilities. However, if they are not trained and released into the wild, they often struggle to survive due to lack of survival skills, making them vulnerable to predators, accidents, and starvation.

 
Interesting !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
26.5.2025