Jonathan Nadle’s neighbor has a squirrel proof bird feeder but it doesn’t keep out all the squirrels.
A small member of the Sciuridae (squirrel) family squeezes though the mesh and helps himself to seeds.
A lot of birds won’t visit while the chipmunk’s there — did you know chipmunks eat bird eggs? — but the red-bellied woodpecker has nothing to fear. His long sharp bill is a formidable weapon.
“Squirrel proof” might not work for chipmunks but at least it keeps out Pennsylvania’s largest member of the squirrel family –> groundhogs.
(photos by Jonathan Nadle)
p.s. Gray squirrels are in the Sciurinae (tree-based) subfamily. Groundhogs and chipmunks are both in the Xerinae (ground-based) subfamily and members of the Marmotini tribe (marmots!).
That chipmunk still has to learn just how much he can stuff in his cheeks and still fit through the holes.
Those rascals will find a way every time. I like Peter’s comment … we know how chipmunks stuff their little cheeks to the bursting point!