Feed The Sparrows, Not The Pigeons ?

[atalanta]

How do I ensure that the birdseed I put out feeds the sparrows and not the fat greedy pigeons in my garden ?

[Khandro]

You need a bird table with a restricted access so only the smaller birds can get into it.

[Khandro]

https://www.google.de/search?q=bird+table+designs+small+birds&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3wOnd9PnLAhVIlSwKHe-qCioQsAQIKg&;biw=1400&bih=759

[Mamyalynne]

Some discussion and ideas here...

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/14005/t/18997.aspx

[Gizmonster]

The pigeons will till get onto most tables - trust me, I've tried.
Better to try the hanging feeders, where there are perches that only the smaller birds can perch on.

Something like ths maybe:

http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/birds-wildlife/bird-feeders.html

[Gizmonster]

"till" should say "still" :P

[dannyk13]

Bird feeders may be a good idea, but sparrows are ground feeders so if there is any food at all on the ground they will ignore the feeders.

[Gizmonster]

Most (if not all) of the sparrows that visit my garden, use the hanging feeders.
They perch on the fence first, then fly straight onto 1 of the 3 hanging feeders - I rarely see them eating off the ground in my garden.

[viv41]

I only have the odd one or two, so it's easy to get rid off. I just go out yelling at them and throw a cup of water at them! They stay away enough for the smaller birds to feed, but always come back of course! It helps for a while. I too have seen sparrows feeding from the feeders.

[Gizmonster]

The thing is, even using the feeders will attract pigeons. As the smaller birds eat from the feeders, they will inevitably drop food onto the floor .... which the pigeons are only too happy to clear up. I'm quite happy with this set up, as every bird gets fed. Previously I used to have a flat open table that I placed the food on .... the only downside was the pigeons usually took over the table and scoffed the lot :(

[sddsddean]

We use one of these
https://www.arkwildlife.co.uk/Item/67497/GFCA-SB/Ground_Feeder_Cage_For_Small_Birds.html
It keeps out all but the most determined starlings!
(Just did the link for the picture...I'm sure we got it much cheaper than that somewhere!)

[Chipchopper]

I use hanging feeders, they suit the smaller birds fine and I've not seen a pigeon them before, although they do seem happy enough to search for fallen crumbs on the ground.

[Quizproquo]

My feeding station attracts goldfinches, tits, a woodpecker, starlings, chaffinches, wood pigeons and colleared doves. I have a tray that catches some of the mess from the hanging feeders and the pigeons follow the feeder birds around. Interestingly, the sparrows follow the messy starlings and feed with them.
Starlings and pigeons are annoying, but I like to feed all the birds and I think I have achieved a pretty good balance.
I feed sunflower hearts in two feeders so the goldfinches can all have a perch because they're my favourite. The tits and starlings like the mixed nuts I put out. I use human mixed nuts for this feeder because that's what brings the woodpecker back. I fill the peanut feeder with suet and mealworm pellets and I have a nyger seed feeder too.
Whatever goes on the ground gets scoffed by starlings, chaffinches, pigeons, sparrows and doves.

[seadogg]

Would settle for the odd wood pigeon. We have c 30 jackdaws in the wood and in local chimney pots who can defeat most deterrents and sparrow hawks that are fast and agile in taking feeding birds. The neighbours' cats are very active in taking small birds. The food is disposed of by grey squirrels.

[Prudie]

I use one of these, the sparrows empty it in 2 days. They also hang off my nut and fatball feeders.
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[Samuraisan]

Put a sign up. " pidgeons keep away "

[DebsyDoo]

Don't think you can !