How to feed small birds, and NOT Pigeons

Admittedly it isn't possible to feed small birds without attracting pigeons at the same time, but there are ways to limit the bird feed for small songbirds only.

How you feed small birds is in a reliable hanging bird feeder, strung up on a pole or available tree branch. By default, pigeons can't access these feeders but they mustn't be near to perches or pigeons can reach over to feed. Pack away open feeders while offering a pigeon or two only, their own seeds if you must.

What could be an issue with pigeons eating up the bird food right now, is bird feed is simply to exposed.

Pigeons will have no difficulty raiding bird feeders which mostly ends in failure, yet pigeons can succeed at times if bird food is made available in unprotected feeders.

Similarly, pigeons will steal bird food made available in any open bird feeder dishes or mounted trays. Its vital then you do away with open feeders while utilizing compact bird feeders only - with pigeons having no chance of accessing them if they're hung especially.

How you'd feed most small birds is in a bird feeder hung off a pole or branch, which will be enough to deter pigeons even if it means moving the feeders about, until you find the most effective area.

Not all birds like to or can't use bird feeders thus a ground feeder could be covered in a cage - to keep pigeons out but allow small birds to go through the gaps.

You do have an option to squirrel proof your bird feeders, while in truth though this isn't needed as pigeons are never going to succeed in perching on a small compact bird feeder - intended for small birds who have no difficulty in landing on a small area.

Watch your common Rock Pigeon attempt to use a hanging bird feeder, but as you may know they never succeed.

If the issue persists with a pigeon or two scaring away your small birds, you do have an option to put some bird seeds in a dish to distract pigeons elsewhere in the yard.

Success on enclosed feeders

What can only be the most effective way of feeding your most common small songbirds, while avoiding feeding nuisance pigeons at the same time - would rely on small bird feeders only.

Small compact feeders will keep pigeons off with little to no concern, only these feeders must be those that hang or else it would be made difficult to keep pigeons off all together.

Success will come with seed bird feeders in particular, which is a long clear tube, with two or several perches protruding out.

In no way will a pigeon, dove or other larger birds be able to raid this kind of feeder, as this large clumsy bird doesn't have the dexterity to perch on a small area.

I will say you are restricted to what bird food you can use, and in what bird feeders when deterring pigeons... while only allowing small birds to feed.

While most small common backyard birds are seed eaters, you can utilize a small seed feeder which will be out of bounds to all pigeons, that I can guarantee you.

Utilize 'Squirrel Proof' type feeders

If you're in a position where you wish to pigeon proof your current bird feeders, currently being visited by pigeons, then an additional investment may be needed.

Depending on what brand your seed, nut or suet feeder is, its unlikely you'd be able to shroud the bird feeder in a special squirrel proof cage, made to fit an old feeder.

Squirrel proof I know, but don't worry as any kind of squirrel proof bird feeders are more than capable of kicking pigeons or other large birds off, in the process of them all attempting to eat bird food out of bird feeders.

You can't stop pigeons perching on bird feeders, but you can certainly keep pigeons on the outside of the squirrel proof feeder.

Utilize a brand new squirrel proof bird feeder made to hold seeds, suet or nuts if you like, while storing away your old unprotected bird feeders for now.

With most small birds but not all, won't feel confident enough to hop through the gaps in the squirrel proof cage, and with numbers reduced when using this method - rest assured squirrel proof bird feeders are limited to small birds only.

Open feeders must go

How you'd feed small birds like finches, warblers, chickadees, wren's and even hummingbirds than: is with a hanging, confined bird feeder that will have no perches or adjacent platforms for pigeons to land on too assist in feeding.

You must be sure pigeons can never come into contact with bird food, thus any bird food in trays or platforms must go.

In fact the tray or platform may have bird food remnants remaining, thus it all must go as it will only encourage pigeons to return on a daily basis.

The best bird feeders for small birds are confined mesh wire feeders for nuts or dried mealworms, to tube feeders for seeds or even nectar.

And what are the best, or should I say most accessible bird feeders for pigeons or doves to use, are open to all trays with seeds scattered on top.

Its vital then to remember no open to the all bird feeders are used, when the small compact but hanging feeders must be prioritized.

You can absolutely stop pigeons eating bird food if wild bird feed is fed to small birds in hanging bird feeders only.

Pigeons fed elsewhere

If you are unable to re-invest in a set of brand new squirrel proof bird feeders but still need a simple solution, would it be possible to feed the pigeons on your part.

Pigeons can go hungry mind you but bear in mind you don't want to make a pigeon problem worse, by feeding pigeons in your yard.

To only have the one or two pigeons visit your backyard daily at the maximum, it might be a good idea to feed pigeons elsewhere - which will be away from your bird feeders.

Options include scattering bird food like seeds on the lawn, or keep pigeons to a confined spot when feeding them out of an unwanted dish on the ground. You'd need to feed pigeons on the ground as they're unable to eat from feeders remember.

Check out the results over the coming days to ensure the pigeon issue doesn't worsen, while making sure pigeons are now coming to their own feeding area.

Bear in mind smaller birds will eat the seeds intended for pigeons, but that's OK providing pigeons stop being a nuisance to small birds at the feeders.

To conclude

How you feed small birds is in their own corresponding seed or nut feeder which will be hung up off a tree branch or bird feeder pole.

This method alone will allow your favorite finches, warblers, chickadees and others to feed, while never allowing pigeons to eat at the same time. Pigeons are large yet very clumsy on hanging feeders, thus don't stand a chance of feeding on hanging feeders that are small yet limited to far smaller wild birds.

On the downside pigeons can make a nuisance of themselves which can deter small birds in the process.

With that in mind, its imperative bird food isn't exposed at all, as pigeons will persist in attempting to access the out of bounds bird food in feeders.

No better way to continue to feed small birds in their own safe zone, than feeding pigeons a seed mix on the other side of the yard.

Never use open to all bird feeder dishes while a squirrel proof bird feeder, shrouded in a cage - is guaranteed to keep pigeons and doves out of feeders all together.

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