Thursday, January 21, 2010

We have 2 squirrels that eat at our birdfeeders. Today one attacked and killed a fledgling woodpecker. Why??

The attack seemed unprovoked and brutal. Could this squirrel have rabies or is this a natural behavior?We have 2 squirrels that eat at our birdfeeders. Today one attacked and killed a fledgling woodpecker. Why??
Squirrels rarely contract rabies, although it is possible. This is definitely atypical behavior, but my guess is the young woodpecker could have been inadvertently disturbing the squirrels young, and the squirrel felt defensive.





Also, young birds are often curious and the young fledge could have provoked the squirrel.We have 2 squirrels that eat at our birdfeeders. Today one attacked and killed a fledgling woodpecker. Why??
I think it must of been personal.
Clearly, the competition for food sources is fairly high. Being a valued resource for the squirrel, it would most likely wish to protect it from others thus the aggresive behavior towards other animals.

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