Dove magic is the branch of stage magic that centers on the dramatic production, transformation, and manipulation of live doves during a performance. Dove magic employs a combination of concealment techniques, mechanical release systems, and sleight of hand to create the illusion that doves materialize, vanish, or change color or form instantaneously and impossibly. The performance of dove magic is recognized for its elegance and visual impact, evoking a sense of wonder through the contrast between the animate, delicate birds and the magician’s apparent control over their appearance and disappearance.

Dove magicians master methods for secretly hiding and releasing the birds, using hidden compartments, tuxedos with specialized tails, and props such as load chambers, servantes, and collapsible cages. Dove magic demands precise timing, expert misdirection, and careful training of the doves to ensure the doves’ safety and cooperation. A dove magic signature effect is the flash appearance, where a dove materializes from a burst of flame, silk, or dove pan. Dove magic has a storied history, with legendary performers like Channing Pollock and Lance Burton innovating the art of dove magic with modern magic techniques and showmanship. The dove magic genre remains a hallmark of classic stage magic, celebrated for its technical mastery and theatrical beauty.