Article: THE WILD SIDE: Pigeon problem can't be solved - or can it?

As September winds down, I find myself using more bird seed almost every day. It's simple backyard bird economics: Birds demand more seed, and I supply it.

But I do so willingly because I enjoy the constant company of cardinals, chickadees, finches and woodpeckers. I might not be so generous if pigeons dominated my feeders. But because I live in a wooded rural area, I've never even seen a pigeon fly over my yard.

Pigeons, however, are common to abundant in many towns and cities, and every year I receive dozens of pleas for help. "How can I keep pigeons off my feeders?" readers ask. Others complain that pigeons eat too much food and scare away smaller birds.

Pigeons are virtually impossible ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!