Help! I have unfortunately attracted too many pigeons to the backyard!

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

We have two feeders, and I usually put black oil sunflower seeds in one and mixed seed in the other. A few months ago a couple of pigeons showed up, which was fine, but now they have brought all their friends. I counted 22 pigeons out there the other day. I know I need to stop this! Does anyone have any suggestions? I have Googled and found suggestions that I put out a tube feeder with no seed tray, put out ONLY black oil seed (but they seem to love that, although I've read they don't), make sure not much seed falls on the ground, take away the feeders for weeks (thus depriving our mourning doves, finches, cowbirds and sparrows of seed) and putting netting on the roof. I really don't want to mess with the roof, as ours is very steep and we belong to a homeowners association (surprised they haven't screamed about the pigeons yet!)

Has anyone had this problem, and if so, what did you do? Thanks!

[XemaSab]

1. What kind of feeders do you have?

If you have tube feeders with tiny perches, the little birds should be able to feed but not the doves or pigeons. I dig sock feeders too.

Good luck! :hi:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

2. We have a platform feeder (that's what I put the black oil sunflower seed in)

And a little log cabin feeder that they really can't get a foothold on, but try. I want the mourning doves to feed - just not the pigeons. We also have a sock feeder with nyjer seeds for the finches (which they mostly ignore now, but occasionally I see someone on there).

[semillama]

3. You absolutely need to get rid of the platform feeder.

Nothing else will work as well for you. I wouldn't worry about the mourning doves, finches and sparrows, they'll do fine with other feeders. I've seen Mourning doves on feeders like teh Double Vision feeder offered by Wild Birds Unlimited - http://www.wbu.com/prod/guide/wooden.htm

On another note - you feed Cowbirds??? SHAME!!!! :spank: