A torn and restored head is shown and explained on the tape "The Cabaret Act" Mehdi Talbi, Video Lecture produced by Camirand Academy of magic, Inc.

http://www.camirandmagic.com/

It can also be purchased from Hocus-Pocus Magic.

Basicly you have to hold the birds head, no bird will retain that position for you.

You will not hurt the bird, just be firm, but do not squeeze. There is a difference.

Bill

In my lecture I show a dove decapitation with a marshmellow Easter "peeps" bird head. You're doing it right, but as Bill said you just have to hold the dove's head there. The more you work with it the more it will get used to it. I like to think of it as stretching. At first its not a natural thing to do, but the more you do it the more comfortable it gets and you can do it no problem.

-Sperris

This is a very old trick as old as human history and was originally done with geese. Geese worked better because of the very long neck and hiding the head under the wing is a normal behavior for geese. Geese were also considered much more valuable than doves. Doves were considered a "poor man's" sacrifice and sold at the temple doors.

Geese are much easier to train than doves. They are very eager learners for ONE person. It makes you "Mom" for life. The bad news is that geese are very protective of "Mom". Lucy has to cage hers before others can approach her. Geese can learn a variety of voice commands but not "leave it alone". Otherwise, they can be taught other tricks and are natural showmen. Lucy's sit in chairs, wear clothes, and drink tea until given the command to remove the napkin from around the neck, hop out of the chair and leave the table. Then they walk the footlights and honk until told what to do next. They will come to be picked up and carried. They are neat birds but not welcome for every show.

Doves are easier trained with hand signals than by sound. Teaching doves a sequence is essentially a waste of time. The good news is that a dove will not attack a member of the audience. Untrained doves still usually workout OK on stage. (Just don't toss them into the air.) The wildest of doves will tend to stay put if his feet are comfortable and he is not threatened. The real advantage of "trained" doves is that they see you as the "safe place" to go.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander