Great tips on how to connect with wildlife
Attracting pigeons to your garden can be very exciting as we experience nature in an awesome way. This is a great way to get children involved in wildlife gardening showing them how they can play their part in helping to provide a home for and protect our feathered friends
I love wildlife gardens as you would see from the many articles which I have written and posted so please do check out the category section of this website where you can learn so many exciting things when it comes to these types of gardens that have captured the hearts of many people.
My personal story
As you read many of my articles one thing you will notice is that I love to share personal stories from the Caribbean island (The Bahamas) in which I live. Growing up with my elder brother was full of excitement and adventure as we played cowboys and Indians, rode bicycles, shoot marbles, went bird hunting, and so on but one of my fondest memories is the many pigeons which we had.
It seems as if the neighborhood boys tried to out-compete each other as we build our pigeon cages which we called pigeon coups out of boards and chicken wire. The pigeon cage which we built had a door and a small window.
The way that we trained our pigeons was once they were purchased or traded we would keep them in their cage for several months without letting them out, now before you discontinue reading this post saying how cruel because we kept them locked up so long but the reason for this was so they could adjust them to their new home.
We feed them and give them water during this process so they were fine, once they were let out after several months of being locked up they took to the open sky but would return as dark fell and flew through the window that was a part of their cage to rest for the night until we opened the cage’s window the following day. No matter how far they would venture once evening came they would return home.
Their diet consisted of growing mash, laying mash, and raw rice. Both my brother and I had a special call for them we would whistle in a certain tone and from out of nowhere they would come flying because they knew this was feeding time. I can go on but let’s get more into how to attract pigeons to your garden.
Attracting pigeons to your garden
There are more than 300 species of pigeons from the white crown pigeon, the feather foot, the bop head, and so on, attracting them to your garden means that you must create a perfect environment well not so perfect but and environment which will attract and keep them.
Items you will need
- Plants
- Bird House
- Food Source
- Water Source
- Saftey
Plants
Installing plants is one of the main features that will attract pigeons, along with other wildlife. Plants that are chosen should be of different height and size, shrubs and tall trees is a good choice but if tall mature trees are out of your budget no worries the use of shrubs and ornamental plants will get the job done make sure to include evergreens.
Bird House
Installing one or more birdhouses in your garden depending on the size will work wonders.
Food Source
Providing food for your pigeon friends is the highlight and will keep them coming back. Foods such as seeds, raw rice, bread crumbs, millet, pigeon feed which can be purchased from your plant nursery or garden center, wheat, barley, corn, etc…
A birdfeeder vs feeding pigeons from the ground
Bird feeders are great and will help pigeons to feel safe while eating, however, the bird feeder should be secure high above the ground from cats, dogs, and other predators. Placing food on the ground is a common thing that we see with pigeons as they congregate in city parks and parking lots.
The way that we fed our pigeons was by placing their food on the ground and as we called them ( a special whistle) they would come. I believe a bird feed is better, two of our favorite pigeons were flash and lady, lady was a milk-white color flash was brown and white he was also ladies mate.
But an unfortunate event happened to flash one day that broke our hearts, it was on a summers day that we went out into the yard only to see flash laying there dead we don’t know which animal did that to him it could of being a dog or a cat he was torn to pieces so ensure that your garden is secured from these predators.
A water source
Providing a water source is also important, providing a birdbath looks great and will add to the flavor of your garden.
The presence of pigeons
Pigeons must be present to be attracted to your garden so ensure their presence is seen near your home.
Additional Information
1. Don’t use harmful pesticides in a wildlife garden which can cause much harm.
2. The use of beneficial insects is a great choice.
Pigeon fun facts
Below are 7 fun facts about pigeons.
1. Pigeons mate for life.
2. No matter how far pigeons are from home they have been known to find their way back.
3. Pigeons are very sociable.
4. Pigeons were once used as messengers.
5. Pigeons have good hearing.
6. It’s believed that pigeons can fly at an altitude of 6000ft.
7. Pigeons have good eyesight and can see in a distance of 26 miles.
The final word
Attracting and keeping pigeons in your garden is really exciting, this is a great way to connect with nature in the great outdoors as you watch your feathered friends in their natural habitat. Both my brother and I have raised them and the experience was just great, make your garden inviting to attract them and enjoy this wonderful adventure.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
I would not have considered attracting pigeons to my garden before until I came across them in a friend’s garden and OMG, they look so much beautiful and added that feeling of nature’s beauty to the plants on the garden already. I would love to replicate that on my garden too. Your story is worth reading. And thanks for sharing those tips on pigeons too. They are indeed fun facts and worthy of being learnt.
It is such a joy to have these birds around as you connect with nature on the great outdoors. So happy to help, all the best to you and have a good day.
I have never given this a thought before. I do like pigeons and I usually love to feed them when Igo to the park. It’s nice that you have mentioned it here that it is a good way to connect with nature. I think I will be needing some at my mom’s garden. You have given us tips on how to make it which is really cool. You spoke about using a cage, don’t you think we shouldn’t hold them ina cage if we want them to call your garden a home?
Pigeons are great to have around as we connect with nature in this way. Well, you have the option of a cage or feeding them continually so they can keep coming back to your garden. Hope this help and all the best to you.
Hello there, I am impressed at the way you have relayed this amazing post. Having some cool friends from nature isn’t a bad idea at all and my general lobe for birds have been since I was a little girl. Currently I have a garden at my house and I would mind setting up some of these things you have suggested to help have these pigeons around, I always love see alot of them with thier different colors.
It is so good to connect with wildlife by having a garden that will invite them, just to watch them is pretty amazing. So happy to help and wishing you the best of success. Have a good day.
My mother has a huge a garden in the front and back of her house.Have seen quite a few squirrles but funny enought no pigeons or birds.And she has trees in the garden.I think she will definately enjoy this website on how to attract such animals.She loves her garden and is always looking for new ideas for it to become more attractive.
Thank you for this post
So happy to help and I hope that your mother finds what she needs with the information which I have provided. All the best to you and have a good day.
Unfortunately where I live, we are not allowed to feed pigeons. I would love to install a bird bath in the communal garden. They have supposedly become a real nuisance over the years though. But I think that they are great! Usually when I go out for a walk in the evening along the beach, there are plenty of pigeons “hanging” around in groups. I usually only took bird seed with, but it is great to know that they can also eat raw rice and breadcrumbs. I will take some with this evening.
So sorry to hear that but it is good to hear that you can still take them a treat. Have a good day.
Wow, another great article for me as well as for those who love gardening. I didn’t think about this before that I can get see pigeons from my garden, after giving some little effort. And it is really fun because my children love pigeons. One question I have, do you think I could give home food for pigeon or I should buy pigeon food from the store?
Pigeons do make a delightful treat in a garden area and kids will be excited to see them. Pigeons also eat bread crumbs, raw or cooked rice, and grits. So happy to help and thanks for your kind words. All the best to you and have a good day.
The idea of having pigeons in ones yard is really cool. My daughter have a great love watching them hang on the trees in our compound and have often begged i get her a bird for a pet. Well instead of getting one bird, why not bring all the birds to the ground so she can play with them. I’ll set up these things in place in my compound so it will attracte them. She will be really glad to see them around.
That is so good to hear and you will give here lasting memories by doing this for her. I wish I could be there to see her face light up. Please let me know how it goes and have a good day.