I love feeding the birds and squirrels but in doing so get tons of pigeons and they take over my bird feeders. How can I feed my birds but not welcome pigeons? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
I know the difference between pidgeons and doves--I have them both and love the doves. I helped circulate petitions to help stop the doves from being hunted on our last election in Michigan and the doves won!
Pigeons need love too. If you still prefer to pigeon-hole certain bird types, perhaps you could post a sign that says "NO PIGEONS ALLOWED"? You could try writing it in pigeon-english.
What a bunch of pigeon/dove lovers here! Doesn't seem that anyone is interested in answering the question.
The bird store where I buy my seed told me to not to buy the seed with millet (the small round yellow seed) in it. It worked for me for a number of months. I just put my birdfeeder out a few days ago (being away all summer) and after two days the pigeons and doves are back.
I like pigeons just don't want them eating all the birdseed. They chase away the birds and I'll have a back yard full of pigeons. I used to get a varity of birds.
Pigeons are an absolute nuisance! I have doves, pigeons, native wild birds and squirrels. The pigeons eat all the food and poop everywhere. I am trying to find a way to feed the squirrels as I have squirrel proof bird feeders but still want to feed squirrels without pigeons eating everything.
not to mention the poooooooooooooooooo they leave EVERYWHERE they are a very dirty bird
I would have no problem with pigeons, per say. The problem arises with the fact that it's not only a few birds. If allowed to stay, the few become 25 then 50 then more and the birds you are actually seeking to feed can't eat because the numerous and gluttonous pigeons eat everything!
Hi..I also have a problem with pigeans eating my bird feed...love feeding the small birds. The pigeons are awful....I put an fake owl out by the feeder and it seems to help.
Funny! Re: pigeons, I live in the city; they leave so much, and I mean so much bird doo on my Terrace. It's kind of sad because I can't feed all the lovely birds out there except for the bluebirds to whom I give peanuts.
Pigeons are as bad as rats, they poo everywhere, keep other birds at bay and gorge on the bird seed. My suggestion to the person that says put up a sign in pigeon language should post their address so the pigeons can converge on the wise asses house.
I DO NOT WANT THE PIGEONS DISTROYING MY BIRD FEEDERS BY HANGING ON TO IT. WHAT CAN I DO?
Doesn't the owl scare the other birds away ?
I agree the pigeons hog all the food from the small birds.
I tried the Owl decoy, but it only worked for a few days. If you have a round feeder, get a pack of plastic tie downs (I used 7 1/2 inch) and attach them onto a flat bungee cord with a 1 inch spacing.
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I need a platform feeder that will fit doves, but not pigeons. I have hanging feeders without a tray for sparrows, etc., but my doves prefer a open platform feeder.
I have doves eating all my birdseed. I tried a squirt gun, I tried not feeding the birds for a couple of weeks. As soon as I put seed back out it didn't take long for them to come back. Also it's not just eating my seed, but they sit up on my new roof and pick the gravel off my shingles.
They ruin your shingles too. I love birds, but I would like the smaller ones to eat too. How do I get rid of doves?This is a perennial problem we all face when we feed birds...that and squirrels and deer...sigh...
Doves love millet, cracked corn, wheat and sunflower seeds, so if you can find a food where those are NOT the primary ingredients, it reduces the chances they visit. Maybe it is where I am, but a blend like that is not the easiest to find. Something like thistle and safflower seeds...will draw in the little guys and turn off the doves (for the most part).
Combine that with a thin narrow feeder...either a tube or one a wire pouch (wire basket)--the kind that hold suet may dissuade the doves...unless they are super bold like we grow them in the Burgh.
You could always switch over to a hummingbird feeder and find a natural liquid for them.
Hope this is helpful! Good luck!
Get a few feeders
You may have to try using just feeders for the little finches as I do not think doves will bother those slim feeders with tiny back seeds.
Not sure what you can do about the gravel but maybe use some of this if you can use it in a small area.
Does anyone know how to keep the pigeons and doves from hogging up the bird feeder?
I am trying to attract various small birds to my feeder. Is there anyone out there with any tips on how to keep pigeons away from this feeder. I have bought a feeder that has bars around it so that the small birds can get in but keeps the big ones out. That didn't work, the pigeons can fit their heads through the bars. Please help!
There are available, large diameter cages with holes small enough to prevent larger birds, especially pigeons, from reaching the feeders.These work extremely well. The other problem is that any food dropped from the feeder obviously falls to the ground and becomes a great feast for pigeons. The solution for that is to purchase and install trays that mount just under the cage and catch most of what would become dinner for pigeons.
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I am trying to attract various small birds to my feeder.
