Pigeons quickly dominate bird feeders, consuming large amounts of seed and displacing smaller songbirds. Their large size and tendency to feed in groups make them efficient competitors, often emptying a feeder quickly. This aggressive feeding behavior and the mess from their droppings challenge bird enthusiasts. Humane strategies focused on pigeon exclusion allow homeowners to maintain a welcoming environment for smaller native species by exploiting physical and behavioral differences.
Adjusting Feeder Design and Location
Modifying the feeding equipment is an effective strategy for pigeon exclusion. Specialized weight-activated feeders close the feeding ports when a weight exceeding a threshold, typically around 85 grams, rests on the perch. Smaller birds like chickadees and finches do not weigh enough to trigger this shut-off. This design physically prevents larger birds from accessing the seed supply.
Feeder architecture can also be manipulated using extremely short or unstable perches. Pigeons naturally seek a flat, stable surface for comfortable perching, often requiring a diameter of 1.5 to 2 inches for optimal grip. Tube feeders with small, thin perches or those that swing freely make feeding difficult for pigeons. Conversely, tray feeders and platform feeders should be avoided entirely, as they provide the stable, communal feeding surface that pigeons prefer.
Strategic placement deters large birds requiring a stable landing area. Hang feeders away from easy staging points, such as nearby roofs, railings, or sturdy tree branches. Pigeons prefer to land near their food source, making it harder for them to reach a feeder suspended freely in open space. Increasing the height of the feeder can also discourage ground-feeding species.
Changing Seed Choices
Changing the seed offers a behavioral control method. Pigeons strongly prefer low-cost grains often found in generic bird food mixes, such as millet, cracked corn, and wheat. Switching to a premium mix that excludes these ingredients immediately reduces the feeder’s appeal to pigeons.
Safflower seed is a recommended alternative, favored by desirable species like cardinals and finches. Pigeons generally find safflower less palatable due to its slightly bitter flavor and tougher shell, making it a natural deterrent. While some pigeons might consume it if no other food is available, it is not a preferred food source and makes the feeder less attractive.
Nyjer seed is effective primarily due to its delivery system, not the seed itself. The tiny, oil-rich seeds attract finches and other small-billed birds, but they require feeders with extremely small ports. These small ports and specialized mesh socks physically limit pigeons’ large beaks from accessing the seed. Pigeons will readily eat any Nyjer seed that spills onto the ground.
Utilizing Physical Barriers and Deterrents
Manipulating the environment surrounding the feeder completes a comprehensive exclusion strategy. Diligently cleaning up spilled seed or debris underneath the feeding station is essential. Pigeons are primarily ground feeders, and eliminating ground food removes a major incentive for them to visit. Using a seed-catching tray below the feeder helps contain the mess, but this tray must be cleaned daily to prevent it from becoming a feeding platform.
Physical barriers create an exclusive feeding zone for small birds. A common method involves surrounding the feeder with a cage or mesh barrier. The openings must be large enough for small species but too restrictive for a pigeon’s body. A mesh size of approximately 2 inches (50 millimeters) effectively blocks pigeons while allowing smaller songbirds access to the feed.
Deterrents make nearby perching spots unwelcoming. Anti-perching devices, such as short spikes or sloped surfaces installed on ledges or fences, prevent comfortable roosting near the food source. Visual deterrents like reflective tape, compact discs, or specialized reflective rods can be hung near the feeder. These items flash and move in the wind, creating a disorienting effect that pigeons tend to avoid, though effectiveness diminishes as birds acclimate.