Subject: Re: Squirrel-proof birdfeed?

On Thu, 6 Oct 1994, Stuart B. Price wrote:
> BIRDCHAT:
>
> I heard on National Public Radio this morning that a birdfeed mix is
> available that contains a squirrel deterrent. Were my ears deceiving me, or
> does such a product exist? Has anyone used it, and, if so, what were the
> results? The last thing we backyard birders want to do is kill off our
> birds while trying to discourage squirrels.
> Auburn University, Alabama
> pricesb at vetmed.auburn.edu
>
I don't know if this is the same stuff that was on NPR, but I've got some
red powder called Squirrel Away. I'm sure its actually cayanne pepper.
You are supposed to mix 1 Tablespoon with 4 pounds of seed. I used 1
teaspoon in 1 cup of peanut butter and haven't seen a squirrel since.
But the chickadees are still coming. I would have liked to see the
squirrel try that peanut butter for the first time! He probably would
have jumped down and gone straight to the bird bath!

Ornithologically Yours,

Steve Konings skonings at post.its.mcw.edu
Milw WI - A Great Place On A Great Lake (414)-257-6250 (W)
I Alone Am Responsible For Me. Member: ABA, WSO

===================

From: CARENA M POOTH <HFDH09A at PRODIGY.COM>

Regarding the squirrel deterrent substance, Herb Thompson
was kind enough to forward me this transcript.

The following article appeared in the Winter 1992 issue of
American Birds (Volume 46, No. 5 page 1072).

"Hot chili peppers may burn people's tongues. But
apparently they do not have the same effect on birds.
Recent studies of Cedar Waxwings and House Finches by
Donald Norman and colleagues (Wilson Bulletin Vol. 104: 549
- 551) reveal an ecological link between birds and chili
peppers. The active chemical agent in chillies, called
capsaicins, have that familiar, flaming effect on mammals'
taste buds. But the normal concentration of capsaicin,
which repels rodents, does not make the food distasteful to
birds. The birds are attracted to wild capsicum fruits
because they are high in vitamins, protein, and lipids.
One hypothesis is that capsaicins protect the pepper seed
from consumption by rodent, while allowing and even
attracting birds to eat the fruits and disperse the seeds."

================

From: Nagendra V Kolluru +1 708 713 7533 <nagendra at PSP.ATT.COM>

I have noticed in India that pet parrots and parakeets
are frequently fed red-hot chili peppers. I do not
know the reason why but the birds seem to eat the
peppers just as they would other eat any other fruit.

nagendra kolluru