Do birds eat beetroot shoots?

[Bjerreby]

I' have had 2 disasters with beetroot this year...............nice seedlings appear, then suddenly the leaves are only half as tall with square tops, and next thing no leaves at all. The seedlings then disappear!

I suspect the culprits are birds. Any thoughts?

[Bjerreby]

[Deb P]

Nah. Slugs I reckon.......they can hoover off a row overnight! ;D

[saddad]

I find they prefer Leafbeet, then Chard, then Beetroot. We but some plastic mesh over them until they are well established... if it was slugs they'd still go... butthey don't... therefore, yes birds do eat seedlings.. It's the woodpigeon!!
>:(