NEWS - Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc. · 2018-08-28 · Squirrels are admirable for their quick...
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Find out what they’re about and how to save your bird seed! I f you’ve logged any time watching squirrels scamper around your yard, garden, deck or a nearby park, you may have observed them with equal parts amusement and annoyance. They are extraordinarily active, chasing each other, running up and down trees, burying nuts, and – most exasperating of all for backyard birders - stealing seed from bird feeders. The U.S. is home to five different types of squirrels: Ameri- can Red Squirrel, Black Squirrel, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Western Gray Squirrel, and Fox Squirrel. All subsist mainly on certain types of vegetation, as well as nuts, fruits and seed – bad news for bird-lovers! They nest high in trees, constructing large and messy-looking homes that are very visible once deciduous foliage has fallen away for the season. Squirrels are admirable for their quick movements, acro- batic abilities, and playful interactions with each other. Their fur is soft, their eyes bright and curious, and they are undaunt- ed in their pursuit of food. Their plume-like tails, almost always in motion, help them balance as they scurry along tree trunks, leap from branch to branch, and even walk across high wires. These fluffy tails aid in a squirrel’s survival by acting as a landing cushion in a free fall situation, or a perfect rudder should a squirrel find itself needing to swim. Lastly, it’s a defense against predators, and they’ll wield it like a shield in battle. These tails are also used as a form of communication with other squirrels. In mating season, potential partners at- tract and reject one another with the flick of their tail. They’ll also snap them as a warning signal to others when danger is near. Lastly, with the help of its tail, squirrels are able to adapt to changing weather conditions. It’s an umbrella during a rainy day and a wrap around coat in the cold, and as blood gets pumped into it, also aids in cooling off during hot summers While squirrels amuse us, they also vex us horribly. They’ll dig holes in yards, nest in attics, chew through drywall, steal bird seed, and even invade bird houses. In the late 1970s, they once created $4,500 worth of damage to Washington, DC’s Lafayette Park (located across from the White House) by stripping bark from trees and digging up 2,000 newly planted geraniums. If you have bird feeders hanging anywhere nearby, you know well about their constant pursuit of seed. No doubt you’ve caught sight of a squirrel doing everything possible to get into that seed feeder, even hanging head down while hold- ing on by one foot! There are ways to combat these seed-stealers, from feeder and pole baffles that protect from high and low inva- sions to squirrel-proof feeders with various (and sometimes highly entertaining) ways to deter these furry fiends. Thing is, we have only ourselves to blame. Squirrels were introduced into the US parks by people. Before early 19th century, squirrels were seen in wooded areas; there were no squirrels running around city parks. In 1856, someone’s pet squirrel escaped its New York City residence and drew a crowd of hundreds, with newspapers calling it ‘an unusual visitor’. Can you imagine? Around that same time, Philadelphia released three squir- rels into Franklin Square (along with food and nesting boxes), and people loved it. Park goers thought them a cute and furry addition, and the squirrels there grew fat from being fed. And everyone wanted more of them! By the 1870s, there was a movement to fill US parks with these adored squirrels. Etienne Benson, professor at University of Pennsylvania, published a paper in the Journal of American History that explains this ‘squirrel movement’, “related to the idea that you want to have things of beauty in the city… that nature in the city is essential to maintaining people’s health and sanity.” Soon, cities began planting nut trees for squirrels to have their own source of food, squirrel populations were multiplying and, by the turn of the century, these little guys were even grac- ing the lawns of the National Mall in Washington, DC. Today, they’re everywhere. So while you may delight in their friskiness as they hap- pily bound across your lawn, or grit your teeth in annoyance as you discover your bird seed depleting faster than ever, remember it’s your decision as to whether you want to “Beat ‘em or Feed ‘em” . . . Because squirrels are definitely here to stay. WILD BIRD NEWS WILD BIRD CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.® | FALL 2018 | VOL. XXVII, No. 3 • From your neighborhood Wild Bird Center ® Whether you want to beat ‘em or feed ‘em, these little guys are here to stay! SQUIRRELS! Squirrels: “nature in the city is essential to maintaining people’s health and sanity” Whether they’re invited to hang around, or are hanging around and crashing the party, squirrels are here to stay. We offer ways to invite them to your yard, and ways to keep ‘em away! FALL 2018 Hey, squirrel!
Transcript of NEWS - Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc. · 2018-08-28 · Squirrels are admirable for their quick...
Find out what they’re about and how to save your bird seed!
If you’ve logged any time watching squirrels scamper around your yard, garden, deck or a nearby park, you may have observed them with equal parts amusement and annoyance.
They are extraordinarily active, chasing each other, running up and down trees, burying nuts, and – most exasperating of all for backyard birders - stealing seed from bird feeders.
The U.S. is home to five different types of squirrels: Ameri-can Red Squirrel, Black Squirrel, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Western Gray Squirrel, and Fox Squirrel. All subsist mainly on certain types of vegetation, as well as nuts, fruits and seed – bad news for bird-lovers! They nest high in trees, constructing large and messy-looking homes that are very visible once deciduous foliage has fallen away for the season.
Squirrels are admirable for their quick movements, acro-batic abilities, and playful interactions with each other. Their fur is soft, their eyes bright and curious, and they are undaunt-ed in their pursuit of food.
Their plume-like tails, almost always in motion, help them balance as they scurry along tree trunks, leap from branch to branch, and even walk across high wires. These fluffy tails aid in a squirrel’s survival by acting as a landing cushion in a free fall situation, or a perfect rudder should a squirrel find itself needing to swim. Lastly, it’s a defense against predators, and they’ll wield it like a shield in battle.
These tails are also used as a form of communication with other squirrels. In mating season, potential partners at-tract and reject one another with the flick of their tail. They’ll also snap them as a warning signal to others when danger is near.
Lastly, with the help of its tail, squirrels are able to adapt to changing weather conditions. It’s an umbrella during a rainy day and a wrap around coat in the cold, and as blood gets pumped into it, also aids in cooling off during hot summers
While squirrels amuse us, they also vex us horribly. They’ll dig holes in yards, nest in attics, chew through drywall, steal bird seed, and even invade bird houses. In the late 1970s, they once created $4,500 worth of damage to Washington, DC’s Lafayette Park (located across from the White House) by stripping bark from trees and digging up 2,000 newly planted geraniums.
If you have bird feeders hanging anywhere nearby, you know well about their constant pursuit of seed. No doubt
you’ve caught sight of a squirrel doing everything possible to get into that seed feeder, even hanging head down while hold-ing on by one foot!
There are ways to combat these seed-stealers, from feeder and pole baffles that protect from high and low inva-sions to squirrel-proof feeders with various (and sometimes highly entertaining) ways to deter these furry fiends.
Thing is, we have only ourselves to blame. Squirrels were introduced into the US parks by people.
Before early 19th century, squirrels were seen in wooded areas; there were no squirrels running around city parks. In 1856, someone’s pet squirrel escaped its New York City residence and drew a crowd of hundreds, with newspapers calling it ‘an unusual visitor’. Can you imagine?
Around that same time, Philadelphia released three squir-rels into Franklin Square (along with food and nesting boxes), and people loved it. Park goers thought them a cute and furry addition, and the squirrels there grew fat from being fed. And everyone wanted more of them!
By the 1870s, there was a movement to fill US parks with these adored squirrels. Etienne Benson, professor at University of Pennsylvania, published a paper in the Journal of American History that explains this ‘squirrel movement’, “related to the idea that you want to have things of beauty in the city… that nature in the city is essential to maintaining people’s health and sanity.”
Soon, cities began planting nut trees for squirrels to have their own source of food, squirrel populations were multiplying and, by the turn of the century, these little guys were even grac-ing the lawns of the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Today, they’re everywhere.So while you may delight in their friskiness as they hap-
pily bound across your lawn, or grit your teeth in annoyance as you discover your bird seed depleting faster than ever, remember it’s your decision as to whether you want to “Beat ‘em or Feed ‘em” . . .
Because squirrels are definitely here to stay.
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Whether you want to beat ‘em or feed ‘em, these little guys are here to stay!SQUIRRELS!
Squirrels:“nature in the city is essential to
maintaining people’s health and sanity”
Whether they’re invited to hang around,or are hanging around and crashing the party,
squirrels are here to stay. We offer ways to invite them to your yard,
and ways to keep ‘em away!
FALL 2018
Hey, squirrel!
Our Squirrel Swing provides a place for them to eat, and hoursof enjoyment for your family. Add one of our dried corn cobs,or pressed Sweet Corn logs!Hang up the Squirrel-Go-Round to watch a varietyof antics as squirrels chase after the pinwheel ofmoving corn to grab a bite!
You can try chasing them away, trapping them for relocation and scaring them off (good luck with that one), but these little guys seem to just keep
showing up (and you’re pretty sure they’re laughing, too!)Instead, give these suggestions a try for squirrel-free bird feeding!
When it comes down to it, you just think they’re fun to watch!Invite them over and get up close and personal
with these furry friends.Try a few of these ideas to amp up the joy!
From Squirrel Seats . . . Rocking chair swings, corn ferris wheels, bungee cord fun andchairs with tables, we invite squirrels to come and stay awhile! . . . to Fun Treats:Offer them squirrel-corn, corn-on-the-cob or CritterWise® blendavailable in seed, seed cakes or seed cylinder variety (made forsquirrels, but many birds love it, too) and enjoy watching themsettle in to dine! Sit back and enjoy the show!
Wild Bird News®
ISSN pendingCorporate Editionis a publication ofthe Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc.®
7370 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD 20812 (301) 229-9585www.wildbird.com ©2017 All rights reserved.
Franchise opportunities available.For information, contact:George Petrides, Sr.(877) 945-3247e-mail: [email protected]
Squirrel-proof Feeders: Complete with a fun fac-tor as well! Squirrels engage and then are thwarted from their goal by all manners of ‘seed protection’!From cage feeders that allow birds in but keepsquirrels out to pressure-sensitive feeder perches that close off feeding ports when a squirrel lands...and all highly entertaining to watch!
Can’t take it anymore, and looking for ways to keepsquirrels off your bird feeders?
Staring out the window because you enjoy watchingsquirrel antics, and you can’t get enough?
Beat ’em or Feed ‘em
The best squirrel-proof feeder money can buy:Squirrel Buster Plus and Classic
CritterWise!Available in feed, seed cakes and cylinders, this blend of peanut splits and peanuts in the shell, black oil sunflower, stripe sunflower and corn is a squirrel-yummy (and bird-tasty) treat!Try the cylinder style with our WBC Cylinder Feeder, shown above right.
Hot Pepper: Birds don’t sense the heat at all, but squirrels are definitely not fans!This very un-squirrel friendly heated spice enhances several of our bird feeding food products to help deter squirrels from eating.Look for hot pepper suet, seed cakes and seed cylin-ders, as well as hot pepper drops to sprinkle heat onto any item.
SQUIRRELS!
Baffle them with Baffles: Discourage squirrels from ac-cessing your feeders with a host of baffles designed to keep ‘em off!Baffles are an easy add-on to prevent squirrels from drop-ping onto feeders from the top (they also aid in keeping rain off your feeders and birds), as well as keeping them from gaining access from the bottom.Baffles are available in a range of shapes, sizes anddesigns to solve many squirrel-proofing issues.
WILD BIRD NEWS® FALL 2018 WWW.WILDBIRD.COM PAGE 3PAGE 2 WWW.WILDBIRD.COM WILD BIRD NEWS® FALL 2018
Did youknow?
The United States is hostto five squirrel species:
fox, gray, red, flying and ground
Squirrel stands for “shadow tail” in Greek
Squirrels bulk up to stay warm in colder seasons, and can find food buried beneath a foot of snow.
While they store nuts for the winter,they don’t actually hibernate
They pretend to bury nuts to throw off potential poachers, but may lose 25% of
their buried food to thieves.
They don’t always remember where they’ve buried these nuts
which results in more trees!
Male squirrels can scent a female in heat from a mile away, and newborns are about
an inch long when born
Squirrels have 4 toes on their front feet and 5 toes on their back feet,
and their front teeth never stop growing
They’re very acrobatic, intelligent and adaptable, and run in a zigzag
to escape predators
Humans introduced squirrels to most of our city parks
White squirrels(albino and other genetic abberations)are almost always a white version of
the eastern gray squirrel.
Hawaii has no squirrels.
Baffle them off! Shown here, our green 22” squirrel bafflekeeps them away from above, while the large width and smooth sides of our Torpedo baffle makes it difficult for squirrels to climb up from below
