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Bird Species: P
How do I keep pigeons away from bird feeders?
Pigeons are scavengers, to say nothing of being opportunists. Make it impossible, or at least difficult, for them to get food and they probably will move on to greener pastures. Start by removing perches and/or trays from any tubular feeders so the pigeons have nothing to stand on. Then rake up debris under the feeders to eliminate food on the ground. If you're using a seed mix, switch to Nyjer seed for goldfinches and black oil sunflower and safflower for other songbirds. Corn and millet, two ingredients found in most mixes, are pigeon favorites.
Purple Martin
Where They Live: During spring and summer, purple martins can be found over most of the continental United States, except in the Rocky Mountain states. They also summer in the south central provinces of Canada. After the nesting season, they gather in large groups, typically near the coasts. These pre-migratory communal flocks can grow to 100,000 individuals. Purple martins are long distance travelers, spending the winter months in Brazil, Venezuela and Bolivia. Scientists speculate that martins once used abandoned woodpecker holes in which to build their nests. Today they favor nest boxes. As early as the pre-colonial era, Native Americans provided hollow gourds for purple martins. Because of this centuries-old association with man, martin populations are localized to areas in which nest boxes are available. Not only do they seek human companionship, they generally nest in a group or colony. This is why a typical martin box has multiple compartments. Preferring houses situated in open fields near a body of water, martin colonies are most often associated with agricultural areas. And with their prodigious appetite for insects, they clearly are a farmer's friends.An ideal purple martin apartment complex is located at least 30 feet from trees and from 10 to 20 feet above the ground.
What They Eat: Martins are voracious insect-eaters, catching flying insects while swooping over open fields. They sometimes are seen skimming the surface of ponds for aquatic insects hatching from the water. Wasps, beetles, dragonflies (a favorite) and grasshoppers are typical martin food.
Appearance: At seven to eight inches in length, the purple martin is our largest swallow. The male has glossy, blue-black plumage over his entire body, while the female has a duller back with contrasting gray breast and belly.
Voice: Vocalizations are typical swallow bubbles, chirps and trills.