“They don’t blend in well with our natural setting,” she said.
The birds were dyed as part of a gender reveal for a Valley influencer couple organized by Sacred Dove Release, a Queen Creek-based business that provides dove releases for events.
Owner Monica Flores said this was the first time her business had done a gender reveal and the first time dye had been used on the birds.
“I thought it was a beautiful idea because of the celebration that she was trying to make happen,” Flores said.
Flores said it was never her intention to put her birds in harm's way.
“I would never put my birds in harm,” she said. “I used non-toxic food coloring. I have my own procedure on how I apply it to them.”
She said most of the birds returned home and are healthy.
“They’re thriving and happy and flying around,” Flores said.
Flores added that it is normal for birds to travel long distances before returning.
“Birds can travel up to 300 miles,” she said. “Sometimes they take detours, but they always make it home.”
She said her business typically provides dove releases for funerals, weddings and celebrations of life, and that this situation was outside its usual services. Following backlash, she said she will no longer dye birds.
White said that regardless of the substance used, applying anything to a bird can pose risks.
“They have very sensitive respiratory systems, and so them inhaling anything or ingesting anything could possibly cause harm,” White said.
She said she consulted with her avian veterinarian, who told her dyeing birds is highly discouraged and that long-term effects are unknown. She also raised concerns about releasing birds that may stand out in the wild.
“They are like beacons for predators,” White said.
