Pigeon-proof bird table

[Andy in Sig]

I'm currently knocking out a bird table. I hate pigeons and I don't want them getting to the food which will be there for any other bird except pigeons. Therefore I intend to put up vertical dowelling between the table bit and the roof. The question is: what should the distance between the dowels be if a blackbird is able to get through but a pigeon is to be utterly frustrated?

 

[accountantpete]

3 finches?

I'd look at limiting the landing area rather than a barrier.

 

[annedonnelly]

There are lots of this type of protection available for smaller birds at feeders. Looking at a few different ones should give you an idea of what sort of size gaps to use.

 

[rich p]

I'd say nearer 2 inches to stop other birds like magpies for instance and squirrels

 

[ianrauk]

I'd say nearer 2 inches to stop other birds like magpies for instance and squirrels

Friggin' tree rats (squirrels) will find a way. They always do. Furry little fekkers.

 

[Andy in Sig]

There are lots of this type of protection available for smaller birds at feeders. Looking at a few different ones should give you an idea of what sort of size gaps to use.

That's brilliant! A sort of avian Alcatraz in reverse. I think I might order one of those and increase the size of the table to accept it. I wonder if there's a deluxe version fitted with intelligent radar and little surface to air missiles that take out just pigeons who choose to loiter in the area.

 

[Andy in Sig]

I'd say nearer 2 inches to stop other birds like magpies for instance and squirrels

I wouldn't mind magpies: they have a bit of character. It's just bloody pigeons which attract my ire.

 

[rich p]

Friggin' tree rats (squirrels) will find a way. They always do. Furry little fekkers.

little sods, I agree.
I had a bloody rat in my squirrel proof bird feeder last year.

 

[rich p]

Magpies are a pest as far as I'm concerned and get enough food elsewhere Andy. They also scoff the lot in no time at all.

 

[Andy in Sig]

Those parakeets are all over the place. I remember a large flock of them being in the Staines area and there are loads in Düsseldorf and Cologne.

 

[ianrauk]

Our problem here in north London is wild parakeets - there's a flock (?) of four of them that eat everything that is put out on the bird table plus they frighten away all the smaller birds.

They decimated our neighbours fruit trees last year.
About time for a cull.
They are a nuisance.

In Barnes last weekend must have seen a flock of about 50-60.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Those parakeets are all over the place. I remember a large flock of them being in the Staines area and there are loads in Düsseldorf and Cologne.

Ah, I was on the Rhein last year and heard some but couldn't see them. As I thought it would be too cold in winter for them, I wasn't sure. Your post confirms that they are there.

There's a pair which spend a fair time on the ash tree outside my window who've driven off most of the smaller birds. Though luckily that didn't stop a little troupe of goldfinches paying visits these last two days.

 

[Andy in Sig]

Given that the parakeets are feral, I can see no objection to trapping them and either returning them to Australia or selling them off as aviary birds. I should imagine that a box with a simple wooden frame and chicken wire about 3' x 18" x18" put a few feet up a tree and baited until they get used to using it would do the trick. Once there are a few of them in it, you pull a string and down comes the open side. It shouldn't be too difficult.

The Rhine valley generally has a mild climate simply because of the Rhine itself. I suspect that they will spread upstream as time goes by.

 

[Archie_tect]

Taste like chicken, apparently.

 

[Tommy2]

Air rifle.