Bird Feeders

[Buffy]

Anyone feed wild birds?, if so what feeders do you have?,
I have got two large Onyx feeders that click open, which
makes cleaning much easier, I also have the trays to go
with them, but I have found that Pigeons can land on them
and so eat the seed, just wondering if anyone has any
ideas as to how I can prevent this?, it is annoying as these
birds are gannets and eat and eat, I have tried putting wire (not barbed)
round the trays, but the pigeons just sit on it, I have now
taken the trays off, but still they persist.
Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

Buffy..... I had no problem when the pigeons landed on my bird feeder (shown in the pic) as they were still willing to share with the rest of the birds that visit my garden.... BUT... when these blighters discovered my bird feeder..... I was compelled to take it down.... They take handfulls of the seeds and stuff their faces.... and it is no use trying to chase them off.... They climb up higher in the tree (out of reach) & when my back is turned.... they are back helping themselves..... I have now ordered myself a catapult to chase them off..... A nice shot on the backside might scare them off. ..... (I've tried rubber snakes, but they ignore it)..... My catapult will be delivered on Friday.... let's see what happens... I'll be happy to have the pigeons back anytime.

 

[Baccus]

Can't help with your particular "pigeon" problem Ludwig, not without investing in one of those electric shock mats that people put on benches to train their cats not to jump up on the bench. The feathered pigeon variety I ight be able to help with. I get alot of turtle necked doves and sparrows (both introduuced pests) coming to my bird feeder, the only think that slows them down from getting an easy meal is the fact I mostly only put out solid seed blocks not loose seed. Australian parrots and cockatoos can deal with these solid food blocks easily and even the double bar finches manage to get some of the food. Another trick I know of is a recipe for a winter food with peanut butter, lard/ dripping, bird seed, (I think honey) and pine cones. Basically you melt the lard/ dripping and mix in the peanut butter, bird seed (and honey), poke the mixture into the open sections of a large pine cone and let the whole thing set in the fridge. Later tie the stuffed pine cone out into the trees where you want to feed the birds. This recipe was designed for USA birds but works well for Aussie birds in colder parts of the country and I am sure would work any where that the food wont just melt out of the pine cone. The bonus of this is the small desired birds can hop all over the pine cone picking out food where as larger birds like the pigeons can't get anything.

 

[ichy thump]

Buffy..... I had no problem when the pigeons landed on my bird feeder (shown in the pic) as they were still willing to share with the rest of the birds that visit my garden.... BUT... when these blighters discovered my bird feeder..... I was compelled to take it down.... They take handfulls of the seeds and stuff their faces.... and it is no use trying to chase them off.... They climb up higher in the tree (out of reach) & when my back is turned.... they are back helping themselves..... I have now ordered myself a catapult to chase them off..... A nice shot on the backside might scare them off. .....

maybe there is something here that i'm not understanding but this seems a little bit cruel.

1. put out a free lunch
2. hungry monkeys try to eat free lunch
3. shoot hungry monkeys for being hungry
4. ???
5. profit

i am aware that over there monkeys are pests who cause problems and bite people. saw it on Jeff Corwin's show. we have animals like that in rural areas here and some people just don't put out bird feeders.

jm2c, dude.

 

[Crossfire]

Ludwig, shall i suggest in investing in a lion? Get a cub and give him a taste for monkey meat early on
Or a Leopard, since they can actually climb trees better?

 

[MBOU]

I want a photo of Ludwig perched in a nearbby tree in full camo and a slingshot LOL

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

+1!!

 

[Buffy]

Oh I'm glad I don't get those monkeys, and yes I would prefer
pigeons!

 

[bae1994]

Why would you want a pigeon at your bird feeder when you could have a monkey

You. Could try putting small spindles on the feeder so just right length for a small bird to fit on but to small for a pigeon to fit on