I just started picking up dove magic and I wanted to know what are some good starting tricks and where on earth do I find the dove I can use in magic? I've checked my pet shops and they said they don't have any and can't get any and even more horrible my dealer doesn't carry dove magic at all. So I need a little advice for a beginner.

HI, When starting dove magic it is best to start using props to produce the doves as opposed to body loads. Then after a while when you feel more comfortable you can upgrade a little to more advanced dove magic. Tony clark has good videos out on dove magic one dedicated to dove magic that you can do without body loads. Other good dove videos to get in addition to Tony's is Andy Amyx's video and Dan Sperry's video. These videos will give you a wide variety of very useful information. And even before you start doing dove magic be sure to do your homework on doves and what goes into taking care of them bc that is first priority over any trick. As far as buying doves try bird farms or a place that Dan Sperry told be about a while ago is http://www.strombergchickens.com (check the spelling)? there is a lot of info and work with dove magic so be sure to do the homework and not cut corners. I have a dove manipulation act that I have been doing for years which uses at the moment 9 doves and 2 parakeets and it is a lot of work and upkeep but if you are sure you want to do it then just be sure to do it right. And after years of practice (depending on the level you want to go with your dove act) you will have something to be proud of. hope all of my rambling has given you some insight to dove magic.
take care,
Tim Kutch

Magician 336, you might be glad your pet shop didn't have and can't get doves for you. As many threads in this forum have pointed out, pet shops are not a good source. You never know what you are getting or anything about the bird. As to where you can get some birds, it would help us to know where you are located.

Tim's advice is good. Make sure you do all the research first before jumping into doves. More important that resources on actual dove magic are the ones that describe the care, feeding, maintenance, medical issues, housing and time required to maintain a good family of doves.

Thanks for the advice I looked at three places so far somberchickens,the magicwarehouse for tonyclark videos,and general grant magics dove supplies.im probly going to get the doves from somberchickens and the kind to get should be white ringkneck right?my final question is should I get tony clarks videos or general grants video which incluses the use of the tail pocket for the vanishing zombie ball and for producing doves.

I personally never had general grants videos but I am sure they are probably good. However,on the other hand I have the other ones I mentioned above by dan sperry, andy amyx, and tony clark and they are all very good. And remember that tony has several videos out each one covering some different material. for example one is dedicated to dove magic without body loads, and one is dedicated to costuming (called behind the seams, etc etc. so just make sure its the kind of dove magic you want to do and are ABLE to do at this point without hurting the doves. And most importantly be sure to do you research on taking care of them before you jump right into it because taking care of them is top priority.

take care,
Tim Kutch

Magician 336. The Tony Clark vid series is excellent as well as the other that have been mentioned. General Grants video shows his entire act first and then goes into the explanation and method for some of the effects, including the tail vanish for Zombie and dove. He also spends a little time on caring for the doves. It's an excellent source to study technique, and showmanship.

Another source for obtaining doves is Café member Dakota Rose. He raises and ships doves to other magicians. You may want to contact him as well.