If you’re like most people, you probably enjoy seeing birds around your home. What you may not realize, however, is that the food you put out for them can actually attract other, less desirable, birds – like pigeons. So, how do you keep the smaller birds coming without also attracting the pigeons?
Here are a few tips:
- Use a small bird feeder: A feeder that’s intended for small birds will have narrower openings that pigeons can’t fit through.
- Put the feeder in a protected area: If you put the feeder in a spot where pigeons can’t easily get to it (like in a tree), they’re less likely to find it and eat the food.
- Avoid using certain types of food: Some bird food, like millet, is a favorite of pigeons. So, if you want to avoid attracting them, don’t use this type of food in your feeder.
- Keep the area around the feeder clean: Pigeons are attracted to areas where there’s food on the ground. So, if you keep the area around your feeder clean, there’s less likely to be food for them to find.
following these tips, you can enjoy seeing the small birds around your home without also attracting undesirable pigeons.
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What happens if you put too much food in the bird feeder?
If you put too much food in the bird feeder, the food will start to rot and attract insects. The insect infestation will then attract even more birds, which will create a mess and a health hazard. Moreover, the extra food will encourage rodents and other animals to visit your yard, which could lead to property damage.
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What happens if you put too little food in the bird feeder?
If you put too little food in the bird feeder, the birds will go hungry. If this happens regularly, they may start to look for food elsewhere and may even abandon the feeder altogether. In extreme cases, they may even starve to death.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep pigeons away from my bird table?
The first and most important step is to protect your feeder with a feeder guardian. This will make sure that the pigeons aren't able to get to the food. You can buy feeder guardians, or you can make your own out of an old cooler or bucket. If you don't have a guardian, put some birdseed together in a small pile on top of the feeder so that it looks like there isn't any food underneath. The pigeons won't be attracted to it and will stop coming.
How to get rid of pigeons in your yard?
There are a few things that you can do if you have pigeons in your yard. First, make sure that the food is out of reach of the pigeons. This means putting the feeder away if it’s not in use, and keeping any extra food stored in secure containers. Second, try using bird baffles. These blocks or tubes put around the outside of your bird feeder will keep the pigeons from getting to the food. Finally, think about how you can discourage the birds from congregating around your feeder in the first place. This could mean covering the feeder with a piece of cloth or plastic, piling up some rocks around it, or setting up a scarecrow to make them think there is nothing valuable to be found there.
Can pigeons eat birdseed from feeders?
Yes, large pigeons can eat birdseed from feeders but they will not be able to access the food if the weight-sensitive feeder is activated.
What attracts pigeons to feeders?
In general, pigeons are attracted to feeders because spilled seed is prevalent there. When another bird sees this, it will likely follow suit and start feeding from the feeder as well - leading to an exclusive party at the feeder.
How to keep pigeons away from bird feeders?
If you have birds visiting your bird feeder frequently, the best way to keep them away is by using a deterrent. You can use plastic or metal spikes in prominent places, or hung shiny objects that they don't like. Another solution is to use repellent gel.
Sources
- https://birdstracker.com/how-to-feed-birds-without-attracting-pigeons/
- https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/at-last-a-pigeon-proof-bird-feeder-6429/
- https://www.wildlifeful.com/how-to-feed-small-birds-not-pigeons
- https://www.wildlifeful.com/can-you-have-too-many-bird-feeders
- https://teacherscollegesj.org/what-happens-if-you-put-too-much-food-in-a-fish-tank/
- https://bondwithyourbird.com/too-much-sugar-in-hummingbird-feeder/
- https://www.exoticfishtank.com/what-happens-if-you-put-too-much-fish-food-in-the-tank/
- https://sage-advices.com/what-happens-if-you-put-too-much-fish-food/
- https://refrigeratorsplus.com/can-you-put-too-much-food-in-a-refrigerator/
- https://www.whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com/2019/12/bird-feeder-empty-in-day-how-often-fill.html
- https://peltr.vhfdental.com/how-to-feed-small-birds-and-not-pigeons/
- https://seekforpet.com/how-to-feed-small-birds-and-not-pigeons/
- https://www.birdinformer.com/bird-feeder-placement/
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