When doves go awry: Dozens of birds apparently released at wedding are found in NYC park

Doves apparently from wedding stranded in NYC park

NEW YORK — More than two dozen doves apparently released during a wedding were left clinging to life in a New York City park.

A couple discovered the albino ringneck doves in Flushing Meadow Park in Queens over the weekend.

Rita McMahon of the Wild Bird Fund says such birds shouldn’t be released. She says they usually haven’t flown, are vulnerable to predators, don’t know how to find food and can starve.

Volunteers rescued some birds. City animal welfare workers also plan to check on them.

James Theurer, a Staten Island bird handler, says there are unscrupulous businessmen who buy doves at pet stores and release them at weddings.

Theurer says wedding birds should be homing pigeons that are trained to return to their coops. That’s what his business uses.

Information from: New York Post, www.nypost.com