Pigeons won't leave my balcony and they are making nests and laying eggs. At times they first lay the eggs and then gather the sticks around. What is the best way to get rid of them without hurting them or hurting the eggs?
I did jury duty at the my local courthouse.Looking out the window I counted 22 plastic owls on the ledges ans even more pigeons nestled among the plastic owls. (05/06/2008)
By Harry
We live on Maui. A pair of pigeons kept trying to make a nest on our lanai. Finally we decided to let them. They did... a few dried palm fronds in a little circle in the corner. A few days later, 2 eggs. A couple weeks later, 2 chicks. The parents, whom we named Marguerita and Jorge (for why? we're not Latino and Maui pigeons are probably not either!). They were devoted parents, Jorge sat on the eggs by day, Marg by night. They both then fed the babies, providing a milk-like substance from their own mouths. In less than 3 weeks Minnie and Marmaduke were nearly full grown, and one day took off on their own.
We've since read up and learned that pigeons are much-loved pets, for many people; that they mate for life, are devoted to their young, and, we've found, confine their droppings mainly to the nest area, which is now a box in the corner of the lanai. A little extra vacuuming isn't a big deal for us. It's fun watching them come and go, hearing the baby chicks peep when food arrives, seeing them venture out, flap their wings, and finally learn how to fly.
To date, these are our only pigeons, and we would discourage more camping out here. But perhaps they're territorial and no extras would be permitted, or would even want to nest here.
For us, it was a peaceful and interesting solution to an otherwise annoying problem. of course, we're in the tropics, and the lanai is an extension of the living room. Might not be so much fun if we were inside for the winter and unable to clean up regularly...
If we decide to relocate our birds, we'll try some of the listed suggestions on discouraging more boarders.
Aloha! (05/06/2008)
By Felicity
I have a friend who had pigeons on his balcony... what they left was NOT eggs. Someone told him to paint the balcony; he did and they were gone the rest of the season. When they came back the next year, he painted, they left. I don't know if it is the smell or that odd rubbery texture paint keeps for so long even after it is dry, but they stayed away. Good luck. (05/08/2008)
By Kat
I have pigeons in my balcony in Bombay. I had 2 rounds of litters with 2 eggs each time hatch successfully. They made their nest behind my wash and dryer. Now i am sick of having them. earlier i felt bad and let them do their work.
Reading the suggestion here. I figured placing a thorny cactus like plant behind the washer, in the spot were they always made the nest might work. I have done that.
Plus I have hung 3 ft long AL foil aluminum or aluminum foil hanging from the roof or ledge of the balcony. Let me see what happens.
I cleared the nest, but that thing never worked. Tried the washing the bird poop it never worked. Did a scare crow thing, these birds are too smart.I also threw some naphthalene balls or moth balls. Just in case, though I have read here pigeons can't smell? If this does not work, I will revert. (05/13/2008)
By UK
I live on the penthouse floor, so pigeons are always trying to land on my balcony. Across the street there are new condos that never have birds on their balcony. That's because they have tomato plants (just the plant, not the fruit/veggie). It really works. There's something about the chemical on the plant that they hate! (05/21/2008)
By Jazzel
If you have eggs, get rid of them now! I wish I had. I have had a family of pigeons living on my porch for 2 months now, and I cannot enjoy it because there is bird poop and a horrible smell. The babies take about a month to get big enough to leave. We removed their nest this week, but now they keep coming back, and another one tried to lay more eggs. aaah! I don't know how I'm going to get rid of them. (06/12/2008)
By Bess
Pigeons have an EXTREMELY advanced sense of smell.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1718108.htm (06/12/2008)
By West Texasn
I purchased a wind chime about 1 and 1/2 feet long that is shiny and the 'clanking' pitch is quite high. I hung it from an extended bracket off the side balcony wall. I have found the pigeons don't like the sound or movement. It's a fairly large chime and I sometimes take it down if there is a rain/wind storm, which I did the other night.
By Joanne
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