Attracting birds to your yard can be a rewarding experience. Watching colorful songbirds visit your feeders and baths can bring joy. However, one type of bird that many people want to avoid is pigeons. Pigeons are seen by some as pests rather than welcomed guests. The good news is that you can take steps to attract songbirds while discouraging pigeons.
Why Deter Pigeons?
Pigeons are very common urban birds that tend to congregate in large flocks. While many people enjoy feeding birds, large numbers of pigeons can cause some problems:
- Pigeons leave behind a lot of droppings which can dirty outdoor areas.
- Large flocks may drive away smaller desirable birds from feeders.
- Some consider their cooing noise a nuisance.
- They can damage gardens by eating plants.
- Pigeons sometimes carry diseases that can affect people or pets.
For these reasons, many bird enthusiasts prefer to limit the number of pigeons visiting their yard and attract smaller songbirds instead.
Methods to Deter Pigeons
Here are some tips to humanely discourage pigeons from flocking to your yard:
Use Selective Bird Feeders
Specialized bird feeders can allow smaller birds access to food while restricting larger birds like pigeons. Consider using feeders with the following features:
- Smaller Ports: Tube feeders with small ports won’t accommodate the larger beaks of pigeons. Meanwhile chickadees, finches, and other small birds can feed easily.
- Weight Activated: Feeders that require the birds’ weight on a perch to allow access to food will exclude heavier pigeons.
- Caged: A wire cage around feeders can obstruct pigeons while small birds can still reach the food.
Use Pigeon-Unfriendly Food
Pigeons prefer seed blends, cracked corn, and bread products. Avoid feeding these to discourage pigeons. Instead offer foods liked by smaller birds such as:
- Nyjer seed in mesh feeders – a favorite of finches
- Safflower seeds which cardinals, chickadees, and titmice enjoy
- Oil sunflower seeds for a variety of small birds
- Suet cakes for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and wrens
Provide Open Water Sources
Use open water sources like shallow bird baths and drippers that allow access to all birds. Pigeons prefer deeper containers of water where they can immerse themselves.
Avoid Flat Open Bird Feeder Areas
Platform feeders allow easy access for pigeons. Feeders hung from a tree branch or under an overhang deter pigeons while small perching birds can easily use them.
Employ Scare Devices
Scare tape, predator decoys (like plastic owls or hawks), or noisy deterrents may frighten off pigeons. Just be sure not to scare away smaller birds in the process. Move devices regularly so pigeons don’t become accustomed to them.
Use Bird Spikes
Bird spikes placed on ledges, roofs, or other flat surfaces can prevent pigeons from landing and roosting in these areas. Make sure spikes are pigeon-safe and do not harm birds.
Block Roosting Areas
Pigeons like to roost on flat awnings, ledges, and cubbyholes on buildings. Block access to these areas by installing boards, wire mesh, or other barriers to keep them from roosting.
Providing a Backyard Sanctuary for Songbirds
Here are some tips to make your yard attractive and welcoming to wild songbirds besides pigeons:
Offer Nutritious Foods
Offer a variety of bird feeders with nutritious food sources like:
- Black oil sunflower seeds
- Nyjer thistle
- Safflower
- Suet
- Fruit like cut oranges, apples, or berries
- Live mealworms
Supplement feeders with fruiting trees, shrubs, and plants that provide berries, seeds, and nectar naturally.
Provide Clean Water
Install a bird bath, mister, or dripping water. Change water regularly to prevent disease. A water source with a heater or circulating pump will prevent freezing in winter.
Offer Bird Houses
Put up nesting boxes suited to bird species you want to attract like bluebirds, wrens, or chickadees. Clean houses annually.
Have a Brush Pile
A pile of brush provides birds shelter and places to forage for insects and seeds as it decays.
Plant Native Vegetation
Plant native flowers, trees, and shrubs to provide food, shelter, and nesting sites. Learn which plants attract birds in your area.
Avoid Pesticides
Use natural gardening methods to avoid poisoning the insects and plants wild birds rely on.
Limit Disturbance
Avoid excess noise and activity near bird nests and feeders which can stress birds.
Keep Cats Indoors
Cats allowed outdoors kill over 2 billion birds per year in the U.S. Keep cats inside to protect wild birds visiting your yard.
Creating a Safe Haven for Birds
Follow these key principles to support bird populations:
- Choose bird feeders and food that smaller birds like but excludes pigeons
- Include pigeon-deterrents like spikes, wires, and scaring devices
- Block pigeon roosting and perching areas
- Landscape with native plants to provide food and shelter
- Supply clean food and water year round
- Put up nest boxes suited to songbirds you want to attract
- Limit disturbance and keep cats indoors
With some thoughtful planning, you can design your yard to be a sanctuary that welcomes desirable wild birds while discreetly discouraging pigeons. The result will be a lively landscape where you can enjoy observing and listening to songbirds happily flocking to your refuge.
Common Backyard Birds You Can Attract
Here are some favorite backyard birds that may visit your yard if you landscape to meet their needs:
Northern Cardinal
- Bright red males and females with crested heads
- Enjoy sunflower seeds, berries, fruit
- Nest in shrubs and dense vegetation
Black-capped Chickadee
- Small acrobatic birds with black caps and bibs
- Eat seeds, nuts, suet, and insects
- Use nest boxes and natural tree cavities
Tufted Titmouse
- Gray birds with crested heads
- Consume seeds, fruits, insects
- Nest in tree cavities
Blue Jay
- Medium blue birds with black collars
- Omnivorous – eat acorns, nuts, seeds, fruits, insects
- Nest in tree branches
American Goldfinch
- Small yellow birds with black forehead and wings
- Eat nyjer thistle and sunflower seeds
- Nest in shrubs or small trees
Carolina Wren
- Reddish brown birds with long bent bills
- Insectivores also eating seeds and berries
- Use nestboxes and natural cavities
Downy Woodpecker
- Small black and white birds
- Eat insects, sap, fruits
- Roost in tree cavities
Eastern Bluebird
- Deep blue backs and reddish breasts
- Eat insects and berries
- Accept nest boxes
With a bird-friendly yard, you can enjoy watching a variety of colorful songbirds visit your feeders, baths, and landscape plantings as they nest and raise their young.
Benefits of Inviting Songbirds to Your Yard
Attracting desirable wild birds to your yard provides many benefits:
Natural Entertainment
The sights and sounds of different birds visiting your yard provide free entertainment.
Stress Relief
Research shows that watching wildlife lowers blood pressure and reduces anxiety and depression.
Environmental Stewardship
Providing habitat aids declining songbird populations and connects you with nature.
Ecosystem Services
Birds help control insects, pollinate plants, and spread seeds.
Education Opportunities
Yard birds provide learning experiences about nature and science for children.
Photography and Art Inspiration
Colorful birds can serve as appealing subjects for photographers or artists.
Legacy for Future Generations
Promoting biodiversity preserves natural heritage for children and grandchildren to enjoy.
With a few easy practices, you can convert your yard into a vibrant bird sanctuary that brings natural beauty, learning, and joy to your daily life while making a difference for songbirds.
Getting Started with Bird-Friendly Landscaping
Here is a step-by-step guide to transforming your yard into an enticing habitat for wild birds:
Research Birds in Your Area
Learn which species are common in your region and their habitat needs.
Provide Food and Water
Install bird feeders, create a brush pile buffet, and supply a birdbath.
Add Nesting Sites
Erect bird houses, preserve dead trees, and plant dense shrubs and trees.
Choose Native Plants
Select native flowers, shrubs, and trees to landscape with to attract birds.
Limit Use of Chemicals
Avoid pesticides and use natural gardening methods to protect birds.
Install Bird-Friendly Windows
Add decals, screens, or external curtains to prevent bird collisions.
Provide Shelter
Include protected areas where birds can get out of the elements.
Limit Disturbance
Site feeders, nests boxes, and shelters away from high traffic areas.
Observe and Identify Birds
Enjoy observing birds and learning to identify different species.
Gradually adding more bird-friendly elements will create an increasingly attractive sanctuary for your wild visitors and hours of enjoyment for you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Prevent these common errors when trying to attract wild birds:
- Using non-native invasive plants that harm ecosystems
- Letting cats roam outdoors to kill birds
- Placing too many feeders close together leading to crowding
- Allowing bird seed and droppings to accumulate under feeders
- Not cleaning birdbaths regularly increasing disease spread risk
- Feeding bread, salty foods, or seed mixes with fillers offering poor nutrition
- Using chemical pesticides that poison birds through the food chain
- Pruning trees and shrubs during nesting season disrupting breeding
- Having large expanses of lawn that don’t provide shelter or food sources
- Putting up nest boxes at the wrong time of year or improper locations
Avoiding these mistakes and following bird-friendly landscaping principles will help you create a healthy, inviting habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to deter pigeons?
Use selective bird feeders and foods that exclude pigeons, install pigeon spikes and barriers, and eliminate landing and roosting sites.
What plants attract birds?
Good choices include native plants like coneflowers, sunflowers, bee balm, berry bushes, fruit trees, oaks, maples, and Douglas fir trees.
How do I choose bird feeders?
Select feeders suited to types of birds you want to attract. Include tube feeders, suet feeders, ground feeders, and hummingbird feeders.
Where should I place bird feeders?
Situate feeders in safe locations with some cover 5-10 feet from windows and 3-6 feet apart. Clean area under feeders.
What food do birds eat?
Offer black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle, suet cakes, fruit, nectar, peanuts, mealworms. Vary foods for diverse birds.
How do I get rid of pigeons safely?
Use humane deterrents like pigeon spikes on roosts, predator decoys, noise makers. Avoid poisons which can harm wildlife.
What birds use nest boxes?
Chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, bluebirds, wrens, and some woodpeckers may use properly designed nest boxes.
How do I attract hummingbirds?
Offer specialized hummingbird feeders with nectar mixes changed every few days. Plant red tubular flowers.
What birds eat mealworms?
Bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and other insect eating birds enjoy live mealworms.
By learning bird species, needs, and smart landscaping techniques, you can create an inviting bird paradise that benefits wildlife and brings you enjoyment.
Conclusion
Attracting songbirds to your yard while deterring problematic pigeons is totally achievable with research and planning. Provide specialty bird feeders and preferred foods of smaller birds but avoid offerings pigeons like. Include structural deterrents and modify the landscape to make it uncomfortable for pigeons to gather. At the same time, incorporate elements like food sources, birdbaths, nestboxes, native plants, and shelter that invited desirable wild birds to visit and thrive. With some effort, you can soon have a lively yard filled with the sights and sounds of charming songbirds that you can enjoy while eliminating nuisance flocks of pigeons.
