Bird feeding advice please

[Bumblebeebob]

I have a problem with Feral Pigeons at the moment. Although I have made my bird table Pigeon proof & removed some of the port feeders which they managed to figure out how to use, they are still hanging around on the roof all day waiting for dropped seed from the other feeders. They drive me & the neighbours mad swooping up & down from the roof every five minutes when they're spooked. I tried deploying a decoy Eagle Owl but that deterrent lasted all of 10 minutes until they decided it wasn't real, even when I moved it about! . The local moggies & Foxes don't bother them at all despite losing 3 of their numbers to them in the past couple of weeks. (Most of time the cats can't even be bothered to chase them, I think they feel overwhelmed).
I've come to the conclusion that I will have to stop filling the feeders for a few weeks & this is probably the best time of year to do it. I do grudgingly admire their tenacity & ingenuity but they are a nuisance. Any thoughts & advice welcomed. Also how long would you think I'd have to stop feeding?

[Paul mabbott]

I suspect that apart from the things you've done, there's nothing much will deter pigeons in general.
However, one thing worth considering is the type of food you're offering: cereals (wheat or maize seeds especially) are particularly attractive to pigeons and bnothing much else so don't include these in your mixes.

[Sue Collins]

I have a neighbour who has fed pigeons for the last 20 years and there are never less than about 20 hanging about on her roof. I have been lucky that in all this time there has only been one or two direct hits on my washing line. They don't bother me much, live and let live is my motto, but when I try to put my cat on a diet he just pops out for a takeaway. I hate to be pessimistic but I think that once they know that food is about they will continue to check you out for quiet a while. After all scientists are now saying that birds are not so bird brained as we once thought.

[Lance Morgan]

We have quite a few cats about although I have replaced fencing to keep them out as much as possible. We have/had lots of pigeons and doves too. I like to see them and their young ones
Not much you can do really.

[BloomingMarvellous]

You could try something like this,



Pigeons hate moving objects.

[Waggle Dancer]

Originally Posted by Bumblebeebob

they are still hanging around on the roof all day waiting for dropped seed from the other feeders.

Sigh. You have my sympathy. I do like pigeons but I object to feeding the racing pigeons that belong to the bloke down the road.

I have resorted to putting upturned hanging baskets underneath the feeders where the seed drops. The smaller birds hop through cheerfully but the pigeons can't get in. They can reach their heads in of course but that means being quite brave.

If you do stop feeding let us know the outcome when you start again.

[Bumblebeebob]

Originally Posted by BloomingMarvellous

You could try something like this,



Pigeons hate moving objects.

Thanks for the suggestion, that is something I haven't tried yet.

[Cowgirl]

Bloomin Marvelous is right, I thing moving objects is your best bet, I think there is some sort of kite thing available as well that resembles a bird of prey. Went off & googled & found this site


It's called a scare'm kite, haven't looked at site properly, but may also be worth a look?

Bird Control By Scare'm | The Self Launching Bird Scaring Kite!

[Bumblebeebob]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I suspect that apart from the things you've done, there's nothing much will deter pigeons in general.
However, one thing worth considering is the type of food you're offering: cereals (wheat or maize seeds especially) are particularly attractive to pigeons and bnothing much else so don't include these in your mixes.

Mine seem rather partial to sunflower hearts! I used to put them in a 4 port feeder but the more intelligent Pigeons used to cling on the small perches & flap their wings like billyo to keep in position while they tipped out the seeds for their pals below. They'd keep this up for 30 seconds at a time then another would take over. It looked like a very exhausting exercise. They also wore out all the grass beneath the tree it was hanging from with their constant pacing about. I then tried a pagoda type feeder & although they do find it more difficult it doesn't stop them trying. They just fly at that one to try dislodge the hearts!

[leon_heller]

A market in Hastings has problems with pigeons, and got a lady with a pet Eagle Owl (I've seen her walking along with the owl on her shoulder) to see if that would get rid of them. It worked, but they can't very well keep her and the owl there all the time the market is open.