Pigeons are a common sight in many urban and suburban areas, easily identified by their gray and white coloration, bobbing head movements, and cooing vocalizations. While many people view them as mere city nuisances, pigeons have adapted well to living alongside humans for thousands of years. However, when a large population of pigeons takes up residence on or near your own home, they can cause messes, damage, and health concerns. If you’ve noticed a growing number of pigeons frequenting your house, yard, or roof, you’re probably wondering – what’s attracting them?
Pigeons are drawn to locations that provide food, water, shelter, and safe nesting sites. They prefer to live and breed in high densities, forming flocks known as colonies. Pigeons are also highly opportunistic – taking advantage of any accessible food source in urban environments. Their flexible diet allows them to thrive near people. With a basic understanding of what attracts feral pigeons, you can take action to discourage them from settling around your home.
What do pigeons eat?
Pigeons are primarily seed and grain eaters, enjoying cereal crops and grasses, bread products, buds, fruits, and some insects. They employ a unique pumping motion of their beaks to suck up water for drinking, without having to lift their heads. Pigeons feed opportunistically, scavenging for discarded food scraps and waste where humans live and congregate. Access to plentiful food sources is a major draw for them.
Common food attractants on properties
Pigeons will gather wherever they can easily find food. Concentrated sources of food around houses provide ideal conditions for pigeon flocks to gather and remain. Here are some common attractants that may need to be eliminated:
- Uncovered compost piles containing food scraps
- Pet food bowls left outside
- Bird feeders stocked with seed, grain, corn, peas, etc.
- Berry bushes and fruit trees
- Vegetable gardens
- Trash cans without secure lids
- Outdoor restaurant seating with accessible crumbs and leftovers
- Areas where food is commonly given to birds (parks, sidewalks)
Even small amounts of spilled bird seed, breadcrumbs, or leftover scraps can attract pigeons to start feeding. Once they find a reliable food source at a particular location, they will continue to return.
How pigeons find food and water
Pigeons locate plentiful food and water sources in two main ways:
- Flying and scoping out sites – Pigeons employ excellent vision from the air to spot food, water sources, and roosting areas while flying over urban and suburban areas.
- Following each other – Pigeons are highly social and live in flocks. When one pigeon finds a good feeding ground, others will quickly follow by sight and gather in the same location.
Roofs provide an ideal vantage point for scanning the area, which is why pigeons often perch and nest there. Locations where other birds are feeding will also attract pigeons to drop in and search for leftovers. By minimizing food attractants available, you can prevent pigeons from continually returning to your property.
What water sources attract pigeons?
In addition to food, a supply of water for drinking and bathing brings pigeons flocking to a location. Feral pigeons get most of their moisture from the foods they eat, but they also need to drink fresh water regularly. Baths serve to clean feathers and control parasites on their bodies. Pigeons are drawn to these water sources:
- Bird baths and fountains
- Ornamental ponds and pools
- Pet water bowls outdoors
- Rain gutters and downspouts
- Irrigation systems and lawn sprinklers
- Flat, exposed rooftops where water pools after rain or snowmelt
- Drip lines from air conditioning units
Pigeons prefer easy access to water sources at ground level. Birdbaths, leaky sprinklers, and pond edges allow them to drink and bathe without expending much effort. Water collecting on flat rooftops is also a major attractant above. Pigeons congregate where they know water will become available based on past experience. Make sure any water sources are well-drained and inaccessible to discourage pigeons from settling in.
Shelter and nesting sites that attract pigeons
In addition to food and water, pigeons seek locations that provide:
- Shelter from extreme weather and temperatures
- Safe nesting sites to breed and raise young
- High, protected vantage points for resting
Favorite resting and roosting spots
Pigeons prefer to settle on ledges, beams, wires, and other elevated surfaces where they can scout for food sources and threats. They typically don’t perch on the narrow edges that other bird species often use. Some ideal resting spots that attract roosting pigeons include:
- Wide ledges on buildings and roof eaves
- Decks, railings, fence tops, and sheds
- Gutters with accumulated debris or sagging areas
- Flat gravel rooftops
- Air conditioning units and ventilation system vents
- Cell phone towers and power line equipment
Pigeons congregate in small or large groups on protected sites with enough room to perch comfortably. They will continue to return to established roosts. Installing bird spikes, slope panels, or repellent gel on surfaces can deter this behavior.
Ideal nesting locations
In addition to daytime roosts, pigeons seek sheltered spots to build nests and raise young. This drives their desire to occupy certain structures and areas around homes:
- Nooks, crannies, and cavities on buildings
- Roof gutters, HVAC units, vents
- Attics, crawlspaces, and eaves
- Alcoves under bridges
- Cavities in cliffs and trees
Pigeons construct loose, twiggy nests out of found urban debris. Inside the nest, the female lays 1-2 white eggs that both parents help incubate for about 18 days. Young pigeons (squabs) remain in the nest an additional month, relying on regurgitated “pigeon milk” from the parents’ crops for nutrition.
Nesting sites must be warm, dry, and protected from predators. Pigeons exhibit nest site fidelity, returning to the same spots year after year. Blocking access to favored nesting locations is key to preventing recurring colonies.
Health Risks from Pigeons
While pigeons themselves don’t directly harm people, large flocks living close to homes raise some health concerns:
- Accumulation of droppings
- Feathers and dust
- Potential transmission of diseases
- Parasites like bird mites
Pigeon droppings contain uric acid which can slowly corrode metals. Feathers and dander can also blow into HVAC systems or aggravate allergies. Histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis are examples of illnesses potentially transmitted by pigeon droppings under the right conditions.
To avoid health hazards, it’s important not to allow pigeons to roost and nest in large numbers near living spaces. their excrement should be cleaned using proper protective gear. Consult a wildlife control professional if a severe infestation occurs.
How to Discourage Pigeons From Your Home
Here are some general exclusion and habitat modification techniques to humanely evict pigeons and prevent their return:
Remove food attractants
Eliminate any food sources pigeons may be using as sustained nutrition. This may involve:
- Removing outdoor pet food after meals
- Letting spilled seed beneath bird feeders be cleaned up by other wildlife rather than accumulating
- Keeping compost enclosed within well-sealed bins
- Installing wildlife-resistant trash and recycling bin lids to contain contents
- Cleaning up fallen fruit beneath trees
- Pulling weeds and harvesting produce to minimize seeds/grains
Continue monitoring for any other food waste or handouts that could be attracting pigeons. Reduce feeding by people in areas like parks and sidewalks where they congregate.
Modify water sources
Evaluate places around your home where pigeons may be accessing water. Try these solutions:
- Use bird baths with sloped sides that fully drain after use
- Place a wire grid or obstacles over ponds and fountains to prevent perching
- Fix leaky outdoor faucets, sprinklers, and AC drip lines
- Install gutters with proper slope and drainage to prevent water pooling
- Add gutter guards to deter perching and nesting within
- Ensure flat roofs have proper drainage and do not hold standing water
Removing easy water access forces pigeons to search elsewhere. They prefer not to expend much energy flying far for their basic needs.
Restrict areas for resting and nesting
Prevent pigeons from accessing established roosts and nest sites with these tactics:
- Install bird spikes, netting, or slope panels along ledges and roof edges
- Cover window sills, AC units, and vent openings with repellent gel
- Attach wire mesh or barricades to block entry into sheltered cavities
- Seal cracks, holes, and openings larger than 1⁄2-inch where birds can enter
- Place decoys of predator birds like hawks and owls in problem areas
Continually monitor your property for any new spot where pigeons have started gathering. Deter them right away before they form a habit of settling there.
Use humane bird repellents
Various chemical repellents provide additional encouragement for pigeons to move on and not return. Options include:
- Scent deterrents using methyl anthranilate or essential oils
- Tactile repellents like tacky gels or tape that birds dislike touching
- Sound deterrents such as ultrasonic or predator distress call devices
- Visual deterrents like reflective tape, inflatable balloons, and imitation predators
For optimal results, apply 2-3 different types of repellents at once. Move devices regularly so birds don’t become desensitized. Use repellents safely by following all label guidelines.
Modify architecture and landscaping
Long term, visually disrupt pigeon habitat and lines of sight with these alterations:
- Install sloped, slippery surfaces to deter roosting
- Cover ledges with angled metal sheeting or cutaway designs
- Add dense vegetation buffers so birds have fewer open landing spots
- Thin tree branches to reduce suitable nesting sites
Habitat modification is highly effective but requires more investment and planning. Consult a wildlife specialist to design permanent architectural and landscape deterrents.
Conclusion
Pigeons are drawn to properties that provide food, water, shelter, and safe nesting spots. By eliminating attractants and access, you can convince stubborn pigeons to leave and discourage their return. Reducing local pigeon numbers will also benefit native bird species needing urban habitat. Implement a targeted, multi-method approach to successfully resolve pigeon problems at your home through sustainable exclusion and habitat modification.
