Do Squirrels eat bird eggs.

They possibly may, if times are hard, but I wouldn't imagine that is their first choice of food. But then, lots of animals (and other birds) eat birds eggs and herring gulls even take ducklings - that is nature.

Yes, both red and grey squirrels have been known to take birds eggs.  I pesonally think it is just nature, even if one is a non-native species as if it hadn't been for humans driving the red squirrels away the reds would probably be doing pretty much what the greys would be.

Nicki C said:

Hi there

I would like to know if Squirrels are proven to eat bird eggs/young if given a chance to do so?

I have heard this and that over the years and would like to know what others think of the matter at hand.

As a matter of fact, I have asked a couple of people already and it confirmed that Squirrels do eat birds eggs.

What are your opinions?

Regards
Kathy and Dave

 

Good morning Blackbird

If you click on this link  http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8448000/8448807.stm  which I posted in the "First signs of spring" Forum  to " A Birdsegg in my garden "Thread I think you will find your answer.

Thats life as they say !

Regards

Yes they do. I have seen it happen, but we have to remember that  a great percentage of wild life would not survive if they didn't eat each other. We just prefer not to see it happen.  

Unknown said:

Yes they do. I have seen it happen, but we have to remember that  a great percentage of wild life would not survive if they didn't eat each other. We just prefer not to see it happen.  

In line with that  and to redress the balance, we should not forget that Owls, Hawks and other Birds of Prey will also take Squirrels !

One of the reasons I used to build my tit boxes 14 inches high was to stop squirrels fishing out the fledglings

:))

S

Good answers everyone

I have always known that Squirrels are opportunists, yes they eat eggs, and that is the way they are.

Blackbirds, and some Garden birds build their nests in a haphazard ways.  It must be easy for a Squirrel to raid a Blackbirds nest

At least the bird boxes offer protection to the birds, and no Squirrels can cause any mischief for the parent birds.

It is good to redress the issue of what animals eat what and each other. 

Seymourclearly: Thank you for your link

That is a fact.  {smile}

Regards

Kathy and Dave

SeymourClearly said:

Yes they do. I have seen it happen, but we have to remember that  a great percentage of wild life would not survive if they didn't eat each other. We just prefer not to see it happen.