Dove Guards for 12" x 12" Hanging Tray Feeder

I needed a way to protect my BirdBuddy from a flock of band-tailed pigeons. I tried everything I could buy and fashion, but they outsmarted my every move. Can they practically dislocate their wings to squeeze sideways through other dove guards I tried? Why yes they can. Can they literally bend wire if it isn't welded in every junction? Why yes they can. Finally I decided to buy two of these guards (as they are 2" by 2" holes) and enclose the BirdBuddy entirely. At first they were able to push their heads far in, grab the feeder and drag it to the side (at one point, ripping off the entire front perch), where they could access the seed. I secured the feeder in the very middle with wire and used packing tape to cover the few squares of the dove guard that would still be the weakest link and closest for their attempts. While they have been continuing to try to break in, sometimes 5-6 birds attacking it at a time, one week in, the dove guards are holding up to the assaults. See one great video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwysYxex4BO/. I'm very pleased and am buying more to enclose my other birdfeeder. While pigeons are very smart and worthy birds, I just can't afford their appetites, so the war continues. These dove guards may be give me the win - we'll see.

I had been looking for a way to stop doves from eating the safflower seeds I put out. This was what I was looking for and it has stopped them but so far have not seen any cardinals enter the cage but it has not been up that long. I modified the feeder by using the plastic clips that hold full length mirrors to doors so that the cage sits on top of the feeder perfectly using some of the clips and 2 of them to hold the cage to the feeder securely. I added a piece of wood to the bottom of the feeder and attached a pole mount so the feeder/cage sits on top of a pole instead of hanging.

When I first started feeding birds in my backyard, I was thrilled to see a pair of doves at my platform feeder. But soon I realized that they were just sitting in it and not allowing other curious birds in. In a few weeks there were a gang of 8 of them, and I wasn’t seeing any other birds. Within 2 days of hanging this caged feeder, the doves moved to the ground, and the other birds came back. It’s much more fun now. I love this feeder. I’m sure it’s not squirrel-proof. My baffle works well for deterring them.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Doves! I also love all my other birds. So now everything is back to normal. Doves are very happy with their new personal spot. The guard is very well designed and built. High quality. Best of all is their customer service.

Doves are out, squirrels are in. So, it did it's job, but overpriced.