The Squirrel, the Physicist and the Bird Feeder
A squirrel named Shirley moves in on the bird feeder and a physicist dreams up new ways to foil her. A rotating shield initially blocks her, but with each physicist’s innovation, Shirley uses her squirrel brain and powerful ability to climb, balance and jump to solve the problem and munch on the bird seeds. Along the way are some spectacular fails and amazing successes for this wild animal. These Fox Squirrel imported from the East Coast are admirable and irritating adversaries for sure. What did you think? Please leave a comment in the section below and remember to share the video and sign up for our free newsletter!
April 14, 2021 @ 3:52 pm
I built a truly squirrel, raccoon and other animal proof bird feeder. Use a 4 X4 X12′ post. Anchor in concrete. Put a 2.5′ piece of sheet metal around the post about 2 1/2′ from the bottom and staple on. Cover staples with thin strip of sheet metal. (this eliminates the ability to have a “hand hold” on the sheet metal) I use silicone on the sheet metal.
Mount four feeder arms near the top of the post (one on each side-you can vary the height, but close to the top is ideal) Fill the feeders and have the birds enjoy their yummy lunch.
Make sure you are not erecting your feeder under a tree. The squirrels will jump down onto the feeder holders. The most fun is watching raccoons, possums and squirrels try to jump up only to slide down the slippery sheet metal. Best “nature” entertainment ever.
April 14, 2021 @ 12:17 pm
you can keep the squirrels away with a piece of dryer vent pipe but it doesn’t work for ducks and geese
January 29, 2021 @ 4:01 am
I so admire their acrobatic talents, cleverness and persistence????
September 26, 2020 @ 3:48 pm
go girl go!
A neighbor had a squirrel-proof feeder – the weight of the squirrel on the rim closed the openings. one day she looks out the window and the squirrel is hanging by its toe-nails from a branch above the feeder and delicately reaching the food with its front paws.
we have a round, three silo feeder that fits on a pole, secured deeply into the ground. we placed a baffler, shaped like an upside down cone under the feeder. that worked most of the time. however, we had squirrels jumping off our roof onto the feeder; squirrels leaping from a solar garden light up to the feeder, etc. this year, we got a new feeder – same style. the squirrels shimmied up the pole and grabbed the baffle and moved onto the feeder or just leapt from the ground to the feeder. we finally foiled them when i found a spare pole section and raised the feeder and baffle about 8 inches. they still try occasionally, but without success. we also scatter lots of seeds on the ground for the red, black and grey squirrels and the chipmunks and the skunk and the wild turkeys and the groundhogs.
September 26, 2020 @ 11:05 am
That squirrel must have been taught that where there’s a will there’s a way. He’s like Wily Coyote – never gives up. He should have his own feeder as reward for sheer determination. Just goes to show that persistence pays off
September 25, 2020 @ 6:30 pm
Well done Squirrel!
September 25, 2020 @ 12:06 pm
Those creatures are brilliant for sure. I have spent nearly 50 years toward defeating them on my feeder, and finally have succeeded. But my system would be unique to my own setup and would not work in many places.
BTW, we used to feed the squirrels even by hand, until one bit my son’s finger.
Then we found a collection of hickory nut shells in our attic near a hole that had been chewed in a side wall. No more squirrel feeding here!
September 25, 2020 @ 12:01 pm
And that’s why I keep an extra feeder low to the ground for my Shirleys and big reds to eat alongside the birds…they sure are entertaining! Thanks for sharing your experience.
September 25, 2020 @ 9:48 am
Too funny,I just feed them! Their funny to watch! I am a bird lover too!
September 25, 2020 @ 8:25 am
I know of what you speak !!!!!! Even with a special squirrel buster feeder (which is pretty good mind you), the little rascal manage to get at the food.