Gardeners are being urged to scatter chilli powder in their gardens this May for an important reason. It might sound odd, but chilli powder is the perfect way to leave food out for hungry birds – without it being stolen by other animals, especially when spring is in full swing but birds are still struggling to find food for themselves.
Birds continue to face challenges finding food, with populations under threat in the UK as food availibility continue to decline. The massive reduction in insect numbers – down as much as 60% in the UK in the last 20 years thanks to habitat loss and climate change – is thought to be having knock-on effects right up the food chain, as birds have far less to eat, which is putting them at risk of starvation, especially in the spring when they need to nest and feed their young too. That’s why gardeners are being asked to do what they can for birds and leave bird food out.
Garden and wildlife blog Happy Beaks says it’s important to make sure birds have access to food in April and May, because of the ‘high energy’ demands of nesting season.
One of the most under pressure birds in the UK right now is the house sparrow, which is usually very prevelant in May but has undergone huge population decline.
It says in its ‘Garden Birds to Spot in May’: “Though house sparrows can be seen all year round, if you’re lucky, you might be getting up close and personal with them at this time of year. As the name suggests, they love to breed on and around houses, such as under the eaves. House sparrows are highly sociable birds, often nesting in colonies and travelling in flocks. They are also bold and opportunistic, living closely alongside humans and often flitting down to scavenge crumbs from café seating areas – sometimes while there are still people at the table!
“However, these cheeky, chattering birds have undergone dramatic declines in recent decades, particularly in urban areas. House sparrow populations in London fell by nearly two thirds just between 1994 and 2004. You can encourage house sparrows by providing nest boxes and mealworms – the young need a high-protein insect diet for the best chance of survival.”
But one huge problem with leaving bird food out is that other animals – like grey squirrels – will try to steal it.
That’s where the chilli powder comes in. If you have a birdbath or bird table, or something which you leave bird food on for the birds (and if you don’t have one, consider getting one), then you can leave a mix of chopped peanuts, seeds, mealworms and slices of fruit like apple out for birds to eat.
Bruised apples and pears are really attractive to birds, and household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs can be used too – although you should avoid using too much of these, say the RSPB.
But lace all of it with a scattering of chilli powder or chilli flakes, and the birds will have the food all to themselves. That’s because birds aren’t at all affected by the spicy taste of chilli, whereas squirrels and foxes hate it. That way, all of the food is left for the hungry birds.
The RSPB says: “When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of peanuts, seeds and live food like mealworms and waxworms.
“Fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and blackbirds. Household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally.
“Strong chilli powder or pepper sauce (like tabasco) can be shaken onto bird food. Birds aren’t bothered by the chilli, but most squirrels can’t put up with the burning sensation and will leave the food alone.”
The Express put this to the test, too, and found that it really does work.
