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How to Control Doves at a Feeder

After you have established your yard as a place for birds to come and feed, you may notice that larger species of birds have taken over the feeder and are chasing away the smaller, more desirable birds that you wish to attract. Doves in particular, are considered a pest in large cities, as they make quite a mess on window ledges, statues and sidewalks. Fortunately, there are several methods that you can employ to discourage doves from attending your bird feeder that won't harm them.

Things You'll Need

Non-grain bird seed mix
Caged tube feeder without bottom platform
Satellite baffle feeder
Rake
Large rocks

Instructions

- 1
  Stop putting out seed for one week. During this time change the bird feed mix that you are putting into your bird feeder over to a seed mixture that doves do not care for. Doves like to consume mixed seed that contains milo or red grain sorghum, millet, wheat, corn and other grains. Fill the feeder with the new type of bird seed that does not contain seeds that doves eat.
- 2
  Eliminate any platform feeders you have and exchange them for smaller caged tube feeders without a tray bottom and satellite feeders with little perches on them. Move the feeding site to a new location in your yard.
- 3
  Stop leaving dropped bird seed on the ground. Rake up any seed that is on the ground around the feed site to discourage the doves from eating at your feeder. Doves are ground feeders and will eat the seed that other birds and squirrels drop as they are eating.
- 4
  Place large rocks on the ground located under the feeders to prevent the doves from getting at seeds that are dropped while other birds are eating.

Animals & Science