Ever watched a squirrel at your feeder and wondered if it’s a threat to nesting birds? Yep—squirrels will sometimes eat baby birds or raid nests for eggs, but honestly, they usually only do this when food gets scarce or the opportunity is just too easy to pass up.
If you care about backyard birds, this guide can help you figure out when and why squirrels behave this way—and what you can do to protect nests without hurting wildlife.
You’ll get a sense of which foods make squirrels more likely to go after eggs or nestlings, and some real-world steps to keep nests safer.
Do Squirrels Eat Baby Birds?
Squirrels sometimes steal eggs and nestlings, mostly when food is hard to find or the nest is easy to reach.
You’ll spot them raiding open-cup nests in trees, cavities, or even birdhouses if they can get inside.
How Often Squirrels Prey on Nests
Squirrels raid nests when the chance pops up, but they don’t do it every day.
Most raids happen in spring and early summer, right when birds are nesting and young squirrels need protein.
If you live where squirrel numbers are high or natural food is low, you’ll probably see more nest raids.
They usually go after nests that are easy to access. Open-cup nests in bushes, low branches, or unprotected birdhouses get hit more than hidden or deep-cavity nests.
It’s not rare to see a squirrel check out several nests in a single day.
If you’ve got bird feeders or spilled seed in your yard, risk goes up. Those spots attract both squirrels and nesting birds, making run-ins more likely.
Species of Squirrels Most Likely to Eat Baby Birds
Gray and red tree squirrels are the main nest predators in North America and Europe.
These squirrels climb into tree nests, birdhouses, and cavities without much trouble. Ground squirrels usually stick to the ground but might take eggs or ground nests if they find them.
Fox squirrels and Eurasian red squirrels have also been caught eating eggs and nestlings in some places.
Bigger tree squirrels can pull nestlings from nests or chew into boxes if they want.
But it’s not just about the species—local behavior matters a lot. City and suburban squirrels that are used to people’s food tend to be bolder and check out nests near homes more than shy forest squirrels.
Reasons Squirrels Eat Baby Birds
Squirrels go after baby birds for protein, fat, and calcium, especially when they’re raising their own young or plant foods are low.
Nestlings and eggs are packed with nutrients that help squirrels recover or feed their babies.
They’re also just opportunists. If a nest is poorly defended or close to a feeder, it’s an easy meal.
Leaving birdseed on the ground or putting feeders near branches only ups the odds a squirrel will poke around nearby nests.
Territory and competition come into play, too. Squirrels and birds both want the best nesting spots and food.
Sometimes, squirrels remove eggs or chicks to cut down on competition, or just to stash them away for later.
Risks to Bird Populations from Squirrel Predation
Squirrels can lower local nesting success for small songbirds, especially in fragmented or suburban areas.
If several nests in a small patch get raided in one season, you might see fewer young birds around next year.
Birds that nest in open cups or shallow spots lose more chicks to squirrels. Birds using deep, protected cavities or building on thin outer branches usually do better.
Try placing feeders and houses away from branches, use baffles, or pick squirrel-resistant boxes.
These tweaks make a real difference and help shield local birds from nest predation.
Understanding Squirrel Diet and Bird Nest Protection
Squirrels eat a huge variety of foods and won’t turn down easy animal snacks if they need them.
Here’s what they usually eat, when they go after eggs or chicks, how they handle insects and small animals, and what you can do to keep them away from nests.
Typical Foods in a Squirrel Diet
Most of the time, squirrels munch on plant foods you’ll spot in your yard—acorns, walnuts, seeds, fruits, and buds.
They bury nuts in the soil and leaf litter for winter.
Sunflower seeds from feeders and fallen fruit are big backyard draws for them.
When plant food is scarce, they’ll look for extra protein and minerals. That includes mushrooms, a few types of fungi, and small bugs or invertebrates.
You’ll notice their diet shift with the seasons—more fruits and seeds in fall, more buds and bugs in spring.
If you feed wildlife, you’re more likely to attract squirrels to nests. Using a squirrel-proof bird feeder and cleaning up spilled seed helps keep them away.
Squirrels Eating Bird Eggs Compared to Baby Birds
Squirrels often take bird eggs; it’s a well-documented habit.
Eggs are easy to eat and packed with protein and calcium.
Squirrels will climb to open-cup nests or reach into cavities if they get the chance.
Eating live nestlings is less common, but it does happen.
Young chicks that fall or get left alone are especially at risk. If a nest is easy to get into, squirrels might grab chicks just like they do eggs.
You can make nests harder to reach by pruning branches near nest sites and moving feeders at least ten feet from launch points.
A squirrel-proof feeder also cuts down on squirrel activity near nests.
Squirrels Eating Insects and Other Small Animals
Squirrels will eat insects, worms, and sometimes even small vertebrates if they need more protein.
Beetles, caterpillars, and grubs are common targets during warmer months.
They’ll scavenge roadkill or dead birds if they come across one.
This is really just opportunistic—not a regular hunting habit.
You’ll see it most when plant foods are low or when a mother squirrel needs extra protein for nursing.
If you spot digging or tearing near carcasses or leaf litter, squirrels might be the culprits.
Keeping your yard tidy and removing dead animals quickly helps lower the odds that squirrels will feed on animal remains near bird nesting areas.
How to Deter Squirrels from Bird Nests
Start with physical barriers. Put baffles on poles, and keep feeders at least 10–12 feet away from trees, roofs, or fences—anywhere squirrels might jump from.
Mount nest boxes on smooth metal poles instead of trees. That makes it tougher for squirrels to climb up and reach the nests.
Pick bird feeders that actually block squirrels. Go for weight-sensitive perches or cages that let smaller birds in but keep squirrels out.
Try adding a seed tray to catch spilled seeds. Less mess on the ground means fewer squirrels hanging around under the nests.
Look at your landscaping. Trim low branches and cut back thick vines near nesting spots.
If you’ve got persistent squirrels, maybe give them their own feeder. Place it far from bird areas and fill it with corn or nuts. It’s a compromise, but it can keep them busy and away from the nests.
