Pigeon problem!

[Cliff_P]

Hi
Got a real problem with pigeons raiding my bird table, not just one or two but about twenty or so invade it every day and push out the smaller birds. Now having taken early retirement I have decided to take up photography as my main pastime and would love to photograph birds in my back garden, anyway to the point, can anybody suggest a really good feeding platform that is Pigeon proof but will allow me to get some good bird shots. Any help/suggestions would be most appreciated.

Best regards
Cliff.

[Jonners]

Hi Cliff and welcome to WAB. Have you considered hanging feeders of various sorts, maybe even including a hanging platform? A few natural perches nearby might provide good photo opportunities. That's a beautiful photo for your avatar btw.

[posie]

Get / make a bird table with a 'roof held up by a leg in each corner, then put thin wooden bars horizontally from leg to leg a few inches apart so the small birds can get in but the bigger ones can't, bamboo sticks or thin garden or plant sticks will do, or some people just wind thick string around the legs a few inches apart but I worry about string, wood is safer.Then give the big birds their own feeding spot with suitable food. Good Luck..Posie...

[Melus]

Not sure what seed you are feeding, but I have had problems in the past. I changed to feeding a seed mix that contains no wheat. Also as posie has mentioned try enclosing your table with mesh so the pigeons can't get to the table, not very asthetic if you are taking photographs, but you may be able to take the mesh off for short periods, before the pigeons realise the restaurant is open again.

Regards
Gary

[k4t3]

I have one open area where I put seed down for the pigeons, and other areas with more enclosed areas and hanging feeders for the smaller birds, this seems to work in my garden...pigeons stick to the open areas and the rest of the birds enjoy the more enclosed and inacessible bits..just a thought...

[syndrome3]

I had this problem and have found that having a bird table with a roof tends to put of the wood pigeons and some times the collared doves. I now have two bird tables, one to feed the small birds (with roof) and one without for everything else.

[Geoff F]

Yes, like many others, I have encountered the same problem with pigeons and crows. I don't mind the crows eating a few kitchen scraps but I can't afford to keep feeding a flock of pigeons.

The double decker table design worked for a few days but the crows soon managed to work things out; behaving like black parrots.



But so far my latest idea appears to be working. I just cut a hole in the top section of a double table and inserted a hang up feeder. A block of wood screwed underneath brings it up to 'beak height'. I put a layer of peanuts in the bottom then fill the rest with a mixture of various seeds and other treats.



It has proved a great success with all those birds, like robins and blackbirds, who don't like using the hanging feeders. The blackbirds started feeding within minutes although the collared doves waited around a week before working out how to use it. I now get a wide range of birds but so far no crows or pigeons.

The next design will have a proper sloping roof and look like a real 'birdhouse'. But also, churning around inside my grey matter, is an idea slightly similar to what Posie suggested, which will look a bit like a miniature Greek Temple with an all round landing edge surrounding upright columns with just enough space for small birds to get in. But I'm not sure if those pigeon necks will still squeeze through. Hopefully if the landing area is only a couple of inches wide it should work, although the crows will probably still do their 'parrot trick'.

[Cliff_P]

Originally Posted by Melus

Not sure what seed you are feeding, but I have had problems in the past. I changed to feeding a seed mix that contains no wheat.
Regards
Gary

Interesting that you use seed with no wheat Gary, I know Pigeons love the stuff but I take it their not interested in other seed?. The mix I have been using is Wilkinson's own brand and does contain a large amount of Wheat, and also Niger seed hoping that a few Goldfinches might turn up!, Oh! and loads of Peanuts

Thanks for all the great Ideas and suggestions folks. Geoff F, thanks for taking the time to post those images as well.

I shall be looking forward to getting cracking in my garage creating a feeding station with a table (Pigeon proof of course ) and feeders this spring (that's if the good lady doesn't find me too much decorating to do!)

Thanks again for all your help, I will keep you informed of my progress.

Regards
Cliff.

[Simples]

I assume these are your common "flying-rat" pigeon as found in most cities and not some more exotic bird. They are disgusting birds and carry all sorts of disease. Unless you can keep all food contained I fear they will keep coming as they are attracted to any food in any quantity. Short of buying a gun (which I would) you could try pigeon-proofing all perching areas by attaching spikes etc. and maybe getting a hawk - a model or a silhouette. I don't think this will scare all the birds but I may be wrong. Good luck!

[Geoff F]

I'm afraid those plastic hawks only work with the smaller birds that we are trying to attract, and then only for a few days.

My neighbour erected an artificial hawk to keep gulls and pigeons off a flat roof adjacent to my garden and it did decrease the activity of robins, chaffinches, tits, etc for a couple of days but the tough bigger birds completely ignored it.

She found that silvery children's 'windmills' worked until we had a gale and they blew down. Now she stretches some string around the roof, about 1 ft high with brightly coloured 'streamers' attached which does keep the birds off her roof without concerning the garden birds.