are birds afraid of squirrels

Birds and squirrels don’t have to be enemies in the same yard, even when a bird may chase a squirrel or a squirrel may raid a bird feeder. If you have both birds and squirrels in your yard, you can easily keep everyone safe, happy, and friendly.

Why Baffle a Squirrel Buster Feeder?

I bought my first of two Squirrel Buster Plus feeders (Brome Bird Feeders on Amazon) years ago. It is a pricey feeder even if you can get it on sale, which I did. But I reasoned that if I could keep squirrels out of the sunflower hearts, I’d easily make back my investment in savings on birdseed. It worked. But while these feeders don’t technically need baffles to keep squirrels out of the seed, I still added one over each one. Here’s why.

The great thing about the Squirrel Buster feeder line is that squirrels are defeated as long as you follow the feeder’s placement guidelines. This essentially means that you must leave a full 18?? of clearance. Mine are hung from tree limbs using long hooks. They are positioned so squirrels cannot access the feeder’s side without tripping the mechanism by hanging from other branches.

It works by an adjustable weight-activated mechanism. You set the weight. The feeder’s outer sleeve then slides down when a heavier object rests on the perches. This covers the food access ports. The squirrel is able to sit there but is unable to reach the food. (Read my Squirrel Buster Plus Feeder Review for more information on this feeder.) ).

Keeping Birds and Squirrels Happy

Many people have the misconception that squirrels and birds are incompatible, and that having one in your yard is better or worse than not having any at all. To get squirrels and birds to visit your yard, all you have to do is provide for their needs. It’s simple to do this in a way that allows the animals to live in harmony rather than in competition with one another.

• Food for Birds and Squirrels: Seeds, nuts, fruits, cracked corn, and other typical wildlife feeds are consumed by both birds and squirrels. However, because they are larger, squirrels may scare birds away from feeders and can readily chew through feeders to get at the seed. Install baffles that squirrels cannot avoid and use smaller feeders that are more appropriate for small birds to deter them from visiting bird feeders. Construct a squirrel feeding station concurrently, complete with larger feeders and foods that squirrels enjoy, like corn, sunflower seeds, and nuts. For their next meal, the squirrels will gladly choose the quickest route, allowing birds to eat in peace. Additionally, squirrels will assist with cleanup beneath bird feeders by devouring spilled seed before it rots and becomes dangerous for both birds and squirrels.
• Water Sources for Backyard Wildlife Ground level or raised pedestal bird baths and basins are popular destinations for birds and squirrels, who both require clean, fresh water to drink. Every thirsty creature will have access to plenty of water if you provide multiple water sources in different heights throughout your yard. Additionally, make sure the baths are cleaned frequently to reduce the growth of algae, insect larvae, and other contaminants. While birds will also take a bath in shallow basins, squirrels do not usually go in the water. Consider installing a hanging bath or waterer with no open basin so that smaller birds can easily access it, but squirrels won’t be drawn to it if you want to provide a water source exclusively for birds.
• Sheltering Squirrels and Birds: Squirrels and birds need to find a place to stay out of the weather and to hide from predators. Mature, dense landscaping is best for both, especially with regard to big trees and shrubs. Additional cover can be provided by leaving hollow trees and snags intact. Additionally, birds and squirrels may take up residence in woodpiles or brush piles, under decks, or in other cosy areas.
• Bird and Squirrel Nesting Sites: Squirrels use a variety of sticks, twigs, leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, and other materials to build their nests; however, their nests are messier and larger than those of birds. It is advisable to use baffles around the houses or install metal guards on entrance holes to prevent squirrels from chewing a larger entrance to get into a house, though they may still take over bird nesting boxes. Giving squirrels their own space so that birds can use other nesting sites can also be accomplished by building a bigger, more roomy squirrel house.

Squirrels on a Closed Feeder Still Scare Birds Away

Squirrels initially left the Squirrel Buster feeders completely alone. I never even saw a squirrel seriously try them . until the weather turned really cold. Then, for about a week, squirrels launched a full-scale attack on every feeder, including these They made a lot of effort, but they were never able to get past these feeders.

However, they began clambering down the shepherd’s hook in order to reach the feeder. When you take into account how thin, curved, and slippery these poles appear, this is a pretty amazing skill. The amount of squirrel activity on the feeder scared off the birds.

FAQ

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