You've likely seen a squirrel do an acrobatic stunt at your bird feeder and have cursing thoughts of how that stunt ruined your chances of cardinals. It happens all the time, and yes, we get it, but the real issue may be something different. Let's take a look at what is actually taking place at your feeders and how you can fix the problem.

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Are squirrels a danger to your bird feeders?

The reality is that squirrels don’t normally scare birds away just by being there. Birds are extremely versatile and can adapt to all sorts of changes. Numerous types of birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and finches wait nearby while a squirrel feeds, and come back just moments after the squirrel leaves. Backyard studies show birds and squirrels feed in the same place at the same time and they do so without any drama.

While some squirrels may not scare away chickadees or wren birds, they can still create an uncomfortable setting. Larger squirrels who are fairly confrontational may make smaller birds like these hesitate to come around. However, it is not an issue of fear, it is an issue of familiarity and the right moment.

Most songbirds come back to feeders just minutes after a squirrel leaves, but mourning doves tend to avoid the ground. This is mostly due to the fact that squirrels take the place of the feeding zone. So, of course, while squirrels aren’t chasing the birds away, they do impact the behavioral changes of the birds in your yard.

The bottom line is that it is not fear that drives birds away from your feeders. They are adjusting their visits around when other birds are at the feeder and how many birds are there. This leads us to the real issue.

The Actual Problem: The Fight for Food and Living Areas

The real issue is not fear, it's the depletion of resources. A single squirrel can eat up to a pound of birdseed in one week. Now, think of how many squirrels there are even in a small neighborhood, and you can just imagine how quickly the feeders will be emptied. Birds are competing with squirrels during feeding time! When they show up at a feeder that has already been emptied or is occupied by a squirrel, they are not competing with a predator, they are sloshing amoung competitors.

Birds with particular feeding routines are especially impacted by limited access to feeders. Cardin als like to feed at seed cracking platform feeders and exclusive nectar ports are required by hummingbirds. When squirrels take over these areas, whether by being there physically or by using up the food, the birds miss out on their feeding opportunities.

Space is also impacted by squirrels. Tube feeders & hopper feeders often only allow 1 or 2 birds to feed at a time. If a squirrel is clinging to the side or sitting on top, that leaves no space. Smaller birds will not try to fight a squirrel for a spot, and will leave to return later. This can be especially concerning when it disrupts a bird's natural feeding routine with the energy concerns common in the winter months or during migration times.

The next issue is poor food quality. While feeding squirrels scatter seed and create a ground mess that attracts other critters and wastes your money. Squirrels preferentially eat sunflower seeds and peanuts— the exact high fat foods that many desirable songbirds need the most. When squirrels eat these premium foods, birds are stuck with less nutritious filler seeds like milo or wheat that many species skip.

This competition impacts your pocket and the birds. It can get very frustrating to keep re-filling bird feeders, and because of that bird watching can feel like a losing battle. However, there are practical solutions that are proven to work.

Squirrels can be a nuisance, but that doesn't mean you have to harm the little guys while keeping them at bay.

You can control how squirrels manage feeders without using harmful methods. First, try using baffles. These are dome-shaped or cylindrical barriers that go above or below feeders. Make sure to place the baffles about 5 feet above the feeder and also 10 feet away from the jumping point (like trees or fences). Although squirrels are impressive jumpers, they will not be able to get past the baffles.

Think about weight sensitive feeders that shut their seed ports when anything heavier than a bird lands. These work remarkably for larger squirrels but allow chickadees, finches, and other small songbirds to feed freely. Good quality models last for years and pay for themselves quickly in saved seed.

Another option is the use of spicy seed treatments. While birds do not have the taste receptors that make capsaicin spicy, mammals do. Therefore, hot pepper based products do not injure squirrels, they simply make the food unappealing. Seed that has been treated beforehand can be bought, or you can put cayenne based sauce in your feeders. Just make sure you don't touch your eyes after you have handled the treated seed.

Here’s a tip used by many successful backyard birders: give squirrels a feeding station of their own. Squirrels are much less motivated to do acrobatics for birdseed when they have easy access to their favorite food. Set up a separate squirrel feeding station with cheap corn or peanuts at least twenty feet away from your birdfeeders.

For pole-mounted feeders choose smooth metal poles instead of wooden posts. Squirrels have difficulty gripping smooth surfaces and along with a good baffle, you have a setup that is almost squirrel proof and requires little ongoing work.

Turn the Tables: Design a Bird-Friendly Backyard First

Deterrents are not the most effective long term solution. Instead, consider how you can create a bird friendly area that prioritizes your avian visitors. First, think about where you place feeders. Place feeders near some natural cover, such as shrubs or small trees, that provide protection for birds. Place feeders far enough from structures that squirrels can jump across. This will give birds much needed comfort zones.

Vary the kinds of feeders you have and where you put them. Use tube feeders for finches and put them in different spots, and use platform feeders for cardinals and jays as well as suet feeders for woodpeckers. This way, you get more birds eating simultaneously, and the competition will be less. Also, it will be more difficult for squirrels to take over all the feeders at once.

Native plants give your yard the wildlife buffet it deserves. Squirrels won't be able to take over the buffet once you add coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and other serviceberries. These plants produce foods (seeds and berries) that birds have evolved to eat. Native shrubs also provide nesting cover and insect habitat. Birds will see your feeders as a mere supplement and not as their lifeline once you give them other natural food sources.

Don’t underestimate the importance of fresh water! A small bubbler fountain or birdbath will draw in birds that might not come to your feeders. There are many birds that need water, even in the winter months. A heated birdbath will attract winter visitors, making it the most popular birding feature in your yard. Sit back and watch as everything from bluebirds to robins come in, leaving squirrels to watch from a distance.

You can combine patience with observation by keeping a simple journal to record what birds come to visit your feeder, when they visit, what foods they eat, and how they interact with squirrels. By tracking this, you will begin to see patterns which will allow you to make better decisions regarding the types of feeders you use, where you place the feeders, and your choice of birdseed. Behavioral patterns can provide more meaningful insight to a birdwatching hobby than expensive equipment.

The idea is not to go to war with the squirrels. They are still part of the ecosystem. The aim is to construct a system that allows both squirrels and birds to thrive without competing. If done correctly, you should have to do less refilling of bird feeders and more time watching a parade of colorful birds that have made your garden their home. Enjoy watching the birds!