My Lab ate a dove one time. Ran up to it, picked it up, and swallowed it. First bird of the year. Has never done it before or since - 8 years. I wouldn't worry unless it proves to be a habit. If you still had your foot on it that may have had something to do with it, too.
My last Lab would not retrieve a swan after I brought it home after a hunt where I was invited, but the dog was not. Ran up, sniffed and wanted nothing more to do with it. When I took him hunting and dropped one, same thing, he just ran up and sniffed and looked at me like "What the...?" Then the bird flapped a wing, reflex I guess. He promptly picked it up and brought it back, and never hesitated again. Who knows what they are thinking sometimes.
