Pigeons

[55palfers]

Aside from the purchase of air-rifle, any idea how I may deter these opportunist scroungers from stealing the seed I put out for the more interesting garden critters please?

There's two or three of them queuing up on the fence to pillage the feeder. That was full last weekend!

[LotusMartin]

They taste nice if that sways your decision?

[alorotom]

Cage of chain link or large chicken wire should solve the problem ... damned flying rats

Or poss a pelican ... penrose may be available for hire??

[RizzoTheRat]

We got a squirrel proof feeder which has a spring loaded shield that drops over the feed holes if there's too much weight on the perches. Seems to do a reasonable job of stopping the pigeons who were getting so fat the pole the feeder's on was in danger of falling over.

[Benni]

Expecting the Pigeonator in 3...2...oh wait

[DAVEVO9]

Electric fly swatter then mod the hell out of it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QARdQPMAh_A

[AlexRS2782]

Easiest solution is to use caged feeders as they will also keep out any grey squirrels / magpies but will still allow the small birds in.

Just make sure you use a decent "wide" cage feeder rather than the cheapo ones with the cage an inch away from the feeding ports, as that way the small birds can get in & out and also move around easily whereas some of the narrow caged feeders will put off some small birds if they cant move easily.

Personally I don't have an issue with the wood pigeons in my garden - some of them are quite friendly and if you tend to leave a bit of seed on the ground for them, they tend to leave the feeders alone in my experience.

Edited by AlexRS2782 on Thursday 27th July 22:12

[gus607]

So you tempt pigeons with a outdoor bird feeder, isn't a pigeon a bird ?

[jdw100]

[alorotom]

gus607 said:

So you tempt pigeons with a outdoor bird feeder, isn't a pigeon a bird ?

But they're also defined as vermin (by most local authorities)

[Dog Star]

alorotom said:

gus607 said:

So you tempt pigeons with a outdoor bird feeder, isn't a pigeon a bird ?

But they're also defined as vermin (by most local authorities)

Are they? Why?

We put food out in a feeder for robins and tits and so on and we have a separate big bowl we put out for wood pigeons (or any pigeons for that matter).

All welcome - they're just hungry birds ffs.

[anonymous-user]

Dog Star said:

alorotom said:

gus607 said:

So you tempt pigeons with a outdoor bird feeder, isn't a pigeon a bird ?

But they're also defined as vermin (by most local authorities)

Are they? Why?

We put food out in a feeder for robins and tits and so on and we have a separate big bowl we put out for wood pigeons (or any pigeons for that matter).

All welcome - they're just hungry birds ffs.

Jesus. You and common birds with a food problem. You need help.

[glasgow mega snake]

Benni said:

Expecting the Pigeonator in 3...2...oh wait

I came here to say the same thing. Pigeon made PH a more interesting place.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Just buy a feeder for small birds!

[alorotom]

Dog Star said:

Are they? Why?

We put food out in a feeder for robins and tits and so on and we have a separate big bowl we put out for wood pigeons (or any pigeons for that matter).

All welcome - they're just hungry birds ffs.

Defined and classed exactly the same as rats, due to the mess and damage they cause apparently

[Rawwr]

BIRD RACIST!

[Squiggs]

alorotom said:

gus607 said:

So you tempt pigeons with a outdoor bird feeder, isn't a pigeon a bird ?

But they're also defined as vermin (by most local authorities)

Are they?
Feral pigeons (the ones you get in town & cities) maybe - but I'm pretty sure wood pigeons (as shown in the op's pic) aren't classed as vermin.
If they are, then the restaurant I went to a few weeks ago where I opted for the pigeon breast as my starter may as well served me up a roasted rat on a stick.

[Mr E]

jdw100 said:

This fine gentleman has another way

Edited by Mr E on Friday 28th July 09:31

[227bhp]

Stop feeding them ffs, they don't need it. Since when did we have a bird shortage in this country due to starvation?
I don't know why, but we seem to have a pigeon debate every month here with the same stuff trotted out again and again.

[graham22]

Whatever you put out will attract pigeons, they are too dumb to realise they can't get in where small birds can.

Old lady next door likes to feed small birds and has a bird table with sides, often see a dozen or so pigeons trying to get in, not to mention the associated crap on my patio, windows, doors (and handles), garden bench, car, washing what have you - it's a right pain & stinks, despite what you say, she only feeds the small birds!

Plus you wouldn't believe how much noise a dozen pigeons make at 4am, especially when a seagull thinks he has a chance too & calls his friends - gone are the days my alarm clock wakes me!!