Spying a birdie nest can feel a bit witching : the anticipation of lilliputian beaks poking through delicate shell and glimpse of mum and dad wench bringing nutrient to their young . It may storm you , then , to spot a squirrel nestling into what you thought was a bird ’s nest . squirrel often populate in tree enclosed space , which offer protection from piranha and the element , but they also build nests called drey in those tree .
Depending on your preference for who camps out in your yard , you may want to understand how to differentiate a bird nest from a squirrel nest . The two types of living blank space are similar enough at a glance , but you ’ll see distinct traits if you look nearly . One of the primary differences is the location of the nest . Squirrels prefer the penthouse suite , build up their habitation high up in the treetops , but not for the thought . For them , it ’s all about survival and safety , enabling them to keep vigil of their environs — and any incoming predators .
Meanwhile , hiss are less especial about locating . Depending on the species , birds will set up their home in tree ( typically at low top than where squirrels prefer ) , in President Bush , or manmade structure like among the eaves of a house or usefulness pole . Knowing what these nests may look like can avail you tell the difference .
The differences in nest materials and sizes
Home is what you make of it , and by paying tending to what the nest is make with , you ’ll belike be able to picture out if it belong to a squirrel or a bird . One of the most distinct differences is that squirrels are more probable than birds to utilise leaves in their nest . They ’ll use twigs to first form the skeleton of the drey , and then work inward to make an introduce spherical nest that is reinforced with softer materials like leaves , moss , chopped bark , vines , and pine acerate leaf for warmth . bird , on the other helping hand , have more diversity in their nest structures and materials , using twigs but also clay . They also integrate stuff like thread , drawstring , even spell of trash . So if you airwave - dry your laundry in the backyard , you may find a fibril of your drogue in the nest of your house physician bird family .
A drey typically has a looser , mussy appearance and can be about 1 to 2 substructure in diam , which is significantly big than a typical bird nest . In equivalence , an American robin ’s nest is 6 to 8 inches wide , and the nest of a red - fly ouzel — usually set near the ground — is slightly less than 5 inches all-inclusive . Another obvious conflict is that squirrels will build a small entry that is low in the drey and facing the tree automobile trunk for tribute from rainwater , versus bird reconstruct their nest with an overhead entrance .
Squirrel and bird behaviors with their nests
Taking meter to observe the fauna ’s behaviors also will ply more insight as to which species owns the nest . squirrel can be spotted in their drey class - rotund , although in moth-eaten climates they may move their family line into a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree caries for more warmth and trade protection . hiss , on the other bridge player , are more seasonal inhabitants , using the nests for laying eggs in the spring through the fledgling stage . Once you pick out a nest in your yard , attend out for increased animal bodily process . Squirrels will do and go either with nesting materials or with solid food for their kits . Birds will do the same , in gain to becoming increasingly outspoken and territorial .
Squirrels , while precious , are not needs ideal to have in your M . They can chew on and impairment wire , ruin your garden , nibble on your crop , and even conduct disease to human being . One fashion to deter them is toplant the kind of flowers that squirrels detest . You could also trynatural ways to drive back them from the garden by using spice . Protect your garden with mesh wire orwrap metallic element sheeting around treesor bush to keep squirrels from piece on the bark . If you ’ve made your yard as unappealing as potential and the squirrels are still set to stay on , look at hiring a professional to take out them . However , if a squirrel is care for kit , hold back off on go after remotion until they are old enough to survive without their momma .
