2 weeks Ago By Angela Patrone
Pigeons , commonly referred to as rock doves, are versatile birds found thriving across diverse habitats. They exhibit natural behaviours such as flocking together in large numbers and displaying a liking for breeding year-round, often choosing cliff-like surroundings to nest. These birds primarily dine on seeds, grains and plant matter, although they won't shy away from indulging in leftover food scraps in urban gardens .
While pigeons can be a pest , there are ways to deter them without compromising the chance to enjoy their presence and melodious songs. A unique strategy involves planting specific flower colours that “signal danger” to these winged visitors. Gardening experts at Sefton Meadows Garden Centre advised: “White is a ‘danger’ colour to birds, much in the same way that red is a warning colour to humans.
” The experts further explained that many birds use the white markings in their feathers to show each other that there is danger ahead. Planting a variety of white flowers around areas you want to keep protected can be “enough to stop pigeons from landing”. For those keen on safeguarding certain areas of their garden while maintaining beauty, there’s an array of stunning white flowers to choose from.
Garden enthusiasts longing for a more vibrant floral display may prefer to reserve colourful plantings for spots not requiring pigeon-proofing. Gardeners battling pigeon problems might consider white blooms as well as setting up imitation predators to give the birds a scare. Pigeons, like many creatures, are naturally cautious of their natural enemies and have a strong instinct to “stay well away” from them.
The presence of potential threats, like predatory bird species, in a garden is enough to discourage pigeons from lingering as they “will fly away promptly” at the sight of danger. Statues resembling hawks, eagles, owls, or cats are readily available at most garden outlets. Strategically placing a couple of these could act as an effective deterrent.
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