David Chapman wrote:
We regularly put out a hanging feeder containing peanuts for the blue
tits and others birds in our garden. Unfortunately they seldom get much
of a look in these days because as soon as the feeder is refilled with
nuts some green parakeets arrive and feast on them until they have eaten
nearly everything.

We also have one of those peanut feeders that has a wire cage around
it to deter squirrels and larger birds but the tits around here are not
at all keen on using it, so I'm looking for an alternative way to feed
the small birds but not the large ones.

I know that hot chilli powder on the peanuts will deter squirrels from
eating them but does anyone know of something similar which might deter
these wretched parakeets?

Parakeets may be pretty birds to look at occasionally but when you
regularly get LOTS of them sitting in the trees, squawking loudly, and
dropping 'droppings', as they do in this South East London area, ones
benevolent attitude towards an otherwise attractive bird definitely
starts to harden.

Does anyone know of any proven, and not outrageously expensive, bird
feeders that will allow us to feed our blue tits and NOT the parakeets?
I'm very willing to build a DIY device if anyone knows of a design that
actually does work.

In order to keep the RSPB off our backs, I guess I'll have to stop
JUST short of 'termination with extreme prejudice'. ;-)

TIA - Dave.


Well a lot of parrots love dried chilies so I don't think that will work.
Our Blue tits do go in and out of our anti-squirrel cage so I'd just give
'em more time to get used to it.

Tim