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Pigeon/Dove Problems
Eynsham Red
Posts: 55
We have a bit of a plague of white pigeons or doves around our and our neighbours gardens. These are a legacy from a family who were given a dozen of them as a wedding present, but when they moved they left the birds to fend for themselves.
Whilst they were looked after and fed there was no problem, but since the owners left they have become a real nuisance, always scavenging in our gardens with the associated mess, and effectively scaring the other smaller birds away when they descend in a white mass.
I'd be grateful if anyone could make suggestions as to how we might be able to selectively scare these birds off.
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Thanks Philippa. We have tried that, but as they are fending all right for themselves, they don't have any concerns. We also contacted the RSPB but didn't get a reply.
The birds don't have any problems. Unfortunately it's us who have a problem with the birds!
My experience with the RSPCA is that they aren't interested in very much! I stopped donating after 3 incidents of reported animal cruelty and they weren't interested
Why give people 'presents' that they obviously don't want or have a desire to care for, completely thoughtless!! Sorry, I know that doesn't help you Eynsham Red but it just infuriates me
I would maybe go with the suggestion of a local aviary club or something, is there any pigeon racing clubs nearby? I know they aren't racing pigeons but they may be able to point you in the right direction,
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
No offence Dove. You'd be very welcome here, but not these pests.
Honestly, some relatives! They just let you down don't they?
I wonder if these people could help you
http://www.pigeonrescue.co.uk/whitedovesforadoption.htm
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
What a lovely idea for a wedding present... NOT!! Nobody should ever buy someone else a living creature for a present in my opinion. Any decision involving an animal's life must be made in a calm rational way. I don't even think children should be bought pets for birthdays. By all means have a family pet, but it shouldn't be a gift. The person who is going to look after the animal needs to be the person who makes the investment. Always. It's a life, not an object. Rant over.
Oh no Philippa - I realised that. It does seem though, as if these animals have fallen into a grey area, where nobody is responsible, and there is no easy answer. I hope there IS an answer to Eynsham's problem. It just seems so irresponsible that it can be legal for a company to make money out of providing animals 'for a big day' with no thought to the eventual fate of the creatures. If a dog is not 'just for Christmas' I don't think doves should be 'just for a wedding'. I realise I am completely off-topic, and really, I am just sympathising with Eynsham's frustrations. I am sure I am only repeating what Eynsham has said and thought a hundred times over. I wish I had an answer.
Thanks for everyone's thoughts and ideas.
We really enjoy the wild birds in our garden and do appreciate the beauty of these recent arrivals, but unfortunately the two don't combine. I wouldn't want to see any harm coming to the doves/pigeons (is there a distinction between the two?) but thought that I'd sound out the forum's vast wealth of knowledge and ideas.
Thanks again.
Doves are rather different to common wood pigeons. Are they these white? Also Collared Doves are different (not domesticated but much smaller and they mate for life so usually seen in pairs) I agree that wood pigeons are a pain - the breast is really the only part worth cooking!
I hope you manage to re-home the doves - as for the pigeons, I have the same problem and they usually scarper as soon as I open the window with the air gun!