Birds DunRite

Wanted!!  For theft, transportation of stolen goods, destroying private property, and making a fool of authorities!  Described as fat, perky, fluffy-tailed, seed nibbling, acrobatic, tree climbing and a daylight robber, the squirrel is an agile and smart critter with an unbelievable bag of tricks.

It is probably impossible to “squirrel proof” any bird feeder but there are ways to make them “squirrel resistant.”  These little rascals have to be pretty smart to have lasted on earth for fifty million years so its probably best to learn to live with and enjoy their antics.  But here are a few ways to help prevent squirrels from stealing birdseed:  (1) the bird feeder, (2) the baffle, (3) the feed.   In a feeder that can’t be baffled, safflower is a good solution (they don’t like it).

  With proper placement of baffles you can almost 100% protect bird feeders you already own.  Hang the feeder on a hook or pole at least 9 feet from tree branches, fences, etc. and mount the baffle on the pole to prevent the squirrel from going up.  Use a good metal baffle — squirrels love to use thin plastic as dental floss.  Protect feeders from aerial attack with clear hanging baffles.  Remember that any hanging baffle needs to be at least 30% bigger than the feeder hanging under it.  Otherwise, the little rascals will use the baffle as a slide into the feeder and have a great time.

There is a great variety of “squirrel proof” feeders.  The squirrels love the challenge even if they don’t  get to the seed and watching is a lot of entertainment for you.

While we take measures to prevent squirrels from feeding from our birdfeeders, it’s also nice to offer something to our furry backyard friends.  One option is to spill a little bit of the bird seed when you’re filling the feeder.  But a much more entertaining option is a squirrel feeder.  These feeders are designed for squirrels and intended to keep them distracted and off the bird feeder; most of the time they’re successful!Squirrel feeders can contain a variety of different feeds, including peanuts, corn cobs, and sunflowers.  Squirrel feeders also come in different styles, some of which feature more entertaining or original designs. 

Ecologically, squirrels are important re-seeders of trees and woodland plants.  As they are  busily burying their stash of nuts and seeds in preparation for winter, a squirrel can hide as many as 10,000 nuts each fall and can find his buried food under as much as a foot of winter snow.  Some of these nuts and seeds are not retrieved and grow into plants in the spring.  A squirrel must remember where he has deposited his caches in order to survive the winter.  A fascinating fact is that the portion of of his brain that controls memory actually grows by 15% in fall; so squirrels really do remember where they stored all those nuts — and where your bird feeders are.

A common misconception about squirrels is that they hibernate during the winter.  While true that squirrels are rarely seen during extreme cold, this is because they remain near their nest where it is warm.  

In addition to residing in the Eastern US, Eastern Gray Squirrels can be found in many Western states, Great Britain, Ireland and South Africa. In general, squirrels are found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia.

Squirrels can fall up to 100 feet without hurting themselves.  They’ll use their tail both for balance and as a parachute.  The word “squirrel” means “shadow tail” in Greek.  The hibernating arctic ground squirrel is the only warm-blooded mammal able to withstand body temperatures below freezing.  Squirrels eyes are positioned in such a way that they can see some things behind them.  They need about a pound of food a week and enjoy a varied diet of bugs, nuts, fruit and seeds.

To have survived millions of years on earth, you really have to admire the little guys and lets face it — just have fun watching their antics! 

After reading these fascinating facts about squirrels, you will have to admit they are very interesting.

1.  The oldest known squirrel skeleton is over 50 million years old!

2.  Squirrels can run as fast as 20 miles per hour.

3.  The squirrel has a brain about the size of a walnut.

4.  Squirrels have been known to live as long as 20 years in captivity.  The common gray squirrel lives an average of 5 years in the wild, if they survive their first year.

5.  40% of all the mammals in the world are in the squirrel family and there are more than 365 species of squirrels.

6.  The smallest squirrel is the African Pygmy being 5 inches long from head to the tip of their tails.  They are found in Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon.

7.  The largest squirrel is the Ratufa found in Asia and Nepal.  It can be as long as 3 feet.

These little creatures have been a part of our world for a long time and being the adaptable animals that they are, will surely survive well into the future.  So, it is best to learn to live with them, laugh at them and love them for what they are.  Give them their own squirrel feeder to distract them from your bird feeders.

Rather than battle with squirrels attempting to break into your bird feeders, why not succumb to a squirrel feeder?  This gives them somewhere to play and snack, discouraging them from inhaling food meant for the birds.

Despite their ongoing war with the backyard birds, squirrels can be a lot of fun to watch, particularly with their little ones.  All you need is a tree!