Why Are Pigeons Eating My Brassica Leaves?

Wood pigeons are the bane of the brassica bed. They are large, persistent, and capable of stripping a broccoli or cauliflower plant down to bare stalks in a single morning visit. Brassica family plants — with their broad, flat, nutritious leaves — are among pigeons' preferred winter and early spring food sources, which is precisely when garden insect predation is low and birds are most hungry. Unlike most garden pests, pigeons are not a minor inconvenience; they can completely destroy an unprotected planting.

Recognising pigeon damage

Pigeon feeding leaves large, irregular holes in leaves, often removing whole leaf sections. Unlike caterpillar damage which tends to be spread across the leaf, pigeon damage works from the outer leaf edges inward and can remove most of a leaf in a single feeding. The damage is usually heaviest on the outer, lower leaves first. Pigeon droppings around the plant and the characteristic hoof-shaped footprints in soft soil confirm the identification.

Netting — the only reliable barrier

Bird netting with a mesh size of 20–25mm suspended over the plants on a frame is the only fully reliable control. The netting must be held well clear of the leaf surface — if it rests on the leaves, pigeons will simply peck through it. A simple cage of canes or wire hoops supports the net above the plants. Secure the edges of the net at ground level to prevent birds from walking in underneath. Once erected, netting requires minimal maintenance and can be reused for many seasons.

Deterrents and their limitations

CDs hung above the bed, bird-of-prey silhouettes, and reflective tape all provide temporary deterrence — pigeons habituate to non-moving visual deterrents within a few days to weeks. They are useful as a short-term measure while permanent netting is being set up, but not as a long-term solution on their own. Decoy predators (plastic owls, hawk kites) work better than static silhouettes but still require regular repositioning to remain effective.

Plants already damaged by pigeons

Brassicas that have had their leaves stripped but still have their growing tip intact can recover if the pigeon access is stopped. Cut away the worst damaged outer leaves, protect the plants with netting immediately, water and feed, and most will produce new leaf growth. Plants stripped to bare stalk with no growing tip are unlikely to recover.