We interrupt our standard bird content to bring you something really, really cute.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always seen squirrels as little more than a pain in the neck. They rush to my bird feeders, snatching birdseed and dashing away like they’re in a heist movie. But this video flips the script. This bushy-tailed little guy isn’t just a snack thief; he’s also a cookie Santa.
@ethznn This woman always feeds this squirrel and the squirrel returned the favour by leaving a cookie out for her #love #cute #trending #heartwarming #xyzbca #viral #foryoupage #foryou #trending #fyp #tiktok ♬ My Love Mine All Mine – Mitski
A Squirrel Brings An Unexpected Gift
In this viral video posted by TikTok user @ethznn, we see a woman arriving home with some bags. When she reaches the front door, she sees a cookie sitting on the windowsill beside the door.
The doorbell camera reveals where it came from- her squirrel friend, whom the video claims she feeds daily, climbed the handrail to place the cookie there carefully. The heartwarming gesture tugs at the heartstrings of the comment section, with one person saying, “Why is a squirrel kinder than everyone I meet?”
A few viewers were skeptical and suggested that maybe the squirrel was just looking for a safe place to hide his sugary treat. However, many people commented that squirrels have brought them gifts, too. One person says that after she fed the squirrels walnuts, her furry friends dropped off a hamburger!
Do Our Furry And Feathered Friends Think About Us?
When feeding the birds, squirrels, or any other backyard friend, you may wonder whether the animals know you’re there.
We’ve previously contemplated whether hummingbirds recognize and remember human faces, and in our research, we learned that many birds do remember specific humans.
Squirrels have excellent memories and can easily remember human faces if it means they’ll be rewarded with food. They can also learn to recognize which humans are likely to leave them alone and which ones have threatened them in the past.
We’re all about keeping our feathered friends well-fed and happy, but as it turns out, the critters on the ground want in on the action, too!
Is It A Good Idea to Feed Squirrels?
While we’re obsessed with this adorable video, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service advises against feeding wild animals, including squirrels. Feeding wildlife can lead to a range of problems, including the spread of disease. Human food is also not the best choice, nutritionally, for wild animals.
Don’t worry- this advice doesn’t extend to your bird feeders. Many natural food sources for birds have been lost due to pesticides, urban development, and climate change, so providing appropriate birdseed at a bird feeder is a great way to help the birds.