Also called: White Dove Release Operator, Ceremonial Bird Release Owner
Raises and trains white homing pigeons that are released at weddings and funerals, then fly back home to their loft on their own.
At dawn he feeds 80 white birds and takes the young ones on training flights farther from home each week. In the afternoon he drives a basket of 12 to a wedding, hands two to the couple for the release, and is back at the loft before the birds arrive home 30 miles later.
Usually a side business, paid per event; funerals and weddings provide most bookings.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. No degree; learned from pigeon racing clubs and experienced breeders.
Ways in: Self-taught, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Animal Science, Business.
Growing about average. Small, steady niche.
Low risk for 10 years. Raising birds and showing up for families' big moments stay human; only booking is online.
Classes: Animal science (FFA), Biology, Business.
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