Back to Ask the Naturalist	The Naturalist:
	Pepper-Treated Bird Seed

Do you have questions about pepper-treated bird seed?

We've received many calls about the new so-called "squirrel-proof" bird seed treated with hot pepper. Most callers are concerned about whether the treated seed could harm birds or even squirrels.

Field studies are currently underway on sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts and suet treated or coated with a substance called capsaicin, the naturally-occurring heat-producing agent in hot peppers. It looks like the pepper-treated seed does effectively repel squirrels, especially when they have an abundant supply of alternative food available.

Birds can't smell or taste capsaicin but we don't really know if consumption of this substance will harm them, especially long-term. We don't know of any current studies that are trying to determine exactly how much capsaicin birds are likely to ingest while eating treated seed, and whether it is harmful or even beneficial in that concentration. One study has shown capsaicin to be harmful in high concentrations, when injected into birds.

We feel it's best to be cautious for now, so we can't recommend use of pepper-treated bird seed. If you do choose to try one of the new pepper-treated bird seed products, use caution and be especially alert for any signs of illness or changes in behavior in the birds you observe at your feeders.

If you notice any problems, please let us know.