Although the squirrel is an omnivore, because squirrels do not eat birds. If there is a great shortage of food, the squirrel may eat bird eggs or young that have been left in the nest. Nevertheless, it can be said with a clear conscience that squirrels do not pose a threat to the bird population.

Squirrels and songbirds in harmony

That Squirrels do not eat birdsYou can see that the two species usually get along well with each other. It is not uncommon to see squirrels sitting in the birdhouse and eating together with the birds.

It is much more common for squirrels to fall prey to and be eaten by a bird of prey.

Do squirrels eat birds when the food supply is scarce?

If you notice that the squirrels' food supply is scarce, you can feed the rodents. You can prevent squirrels from eating birds.

Supplementary feeding is very important, especially in urban areas, where the animals often do not find enough food. The reason for this is that there are fewer and fewer deciduous trees, pines and spruces. These have to give way due to more and more new buildings.

By the way, feeding squirrels is an exciting and wonderful experience - not only for children.  

With what to feed the squirrel?

To prevent squirrels from eating birds, you can provide food gifts to protect them. Squirrels as omnivores love walnuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, grapes, apples, carrots, corn, unsweetened rusks and dried fruit.

Since squirrels also like bird food, you will often discover them at or in the bird house. They sit here together with the songbirds and enjoy it.

But more suitable than bird food for the rodents is real squirrel food. It contains everything that the animals like and what they need.

What is off limits for squirrels?

Surely the squirrel will eat almost anything you offer him. However, there are a few things that are absolutely taboo. These include peanuts, almonds, bread, dairy products and exotic fruits.

Squirrels really a danger to songbirds?

Birdwatchers in particular very often claim that squirrels are a threat to native songbirds. This statement is false. The rodents meet their nutritional needs on a purely plant-based diet. Squirrels can meet their low protein needs through insects, larvae and other small animals. The squirrel's diet includes:

• Berries
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Insects
• Snails
• Worms
• Insects

Certainly, there are also the one or other predatory fellows who steal flightless young birds or eggs from the nests. In no way, however, is there any danger to the native songbirds. 

If squirrels need more protein at certain stages of life, they are more likely to eat dead young birds or carrion left in the nest.

Only in times of need can the Squirrel to nest predator become. Then also in the first place the bird eggs are stolen and eaten.

Do squirrels eat birds? - Protect nesting boxes

If you have a nesting box for birds in your garden, you can protect it as a precaution. You can tie thorny cuttings tightly around the tree trunk. However, you must make sure that the pointed ends point downwards.

Very suitable for the protection of nesting boxes is also a sleeve of corrugated metal. However, the corrugated sheet around the tree trunk should have a size of at least 3.5 m, because squirrels can jump very well.