This morning, as I was leaving for work, I saw a bird fighting a squirrel y’all. No joke. A bird (has wings, will fly) and a squirrel (loves nuts probably carries plague) FIGHTING EACH OTHER. It was like animal kingdom mortal combat. The bird kept dive bombing the squirrel and pecking it with its beak, and the squirrel kept swiping at it and trying to pin it to the ground. I think in the end it was a tie because the bird flew away and the squirrel kind of hid in the bushes. I was like 99% sure I had just witnessed something unprecedented and amazing in nature so I googled “bird and squirrel fighting” and it’s like a thing that happens all the time y’all! There are videos, and posts, and images, and all sorts of documentation of birds and squirrels fighting. Apparently, birds and squirrels just can’t work it out through mediation and diplomacy. Which is sad.
So, my Friday morning thought is this: What can we, as human beings, do to help squirrels and birds find a lasting peace?
Follow-up thought: How unfair is it that I wasn’t the first to discover this secret nature war? When will I ever get to discover something???
I’d just be happy if you could teach either not to jump out into traffic like GEICO won’t cover me if I turn them into asphalt grease spots.
I’m on it!
Some people have bird feeder, I have squirrel feeders. They keep the pesky birds out of my garden, and they are pleasantly plump, so they leave my produce alone. It’s all about making nature wars work for you.
Well played. (Tips hat)
Perhaps they require some third party mediation? So sad…why can’t we all just get along!
For clarification, stereotypes exist for a reason. That being said, I don’t know if it’s because I’m blonde or an Aggie that I can’t tell if my post is “being processed” or just didn’t post… So, being a mom (another stereotype), I will repeat myself:
Must be an Aggie squirrel! They are so arrogant! They will challenge anyone who passes by, which is very funny when they are cooling their bellies flat on the concrete; you can see them choosing, “Do I challenge this passerby, or do I cling to my cool concrete?”
Haha, sorry! It was processing.
Must be an Aggie squirrel. They are quite arrogant and will challenge anyone who passes by them!
lol You would fight too, if a thief got too close to your nest
Interesting!
This is fantastic.
You know, it really was. It’s been a pretty cool Friday.
Holy crap! Squirrels have run amok – I just posted about rabid ninja squirrels after coming across a warning sign at a wildlife refuge speaking of the awful attacking nature of those fuzzy furry little beasts. Maybe it is the birds that are egging them on (pun intended.)
I just found out it’s totally the squirrels causing all the trouble! My mind is blown.
Birds harass squirrels, because squirrels will eat baby birds and eggs if they find them in a nest. So, the odds are pretty stacked against negotiating any peace agreements between the two sides any time soon.
I was gonna take a swipe at working in a “no fly zone” reference, but my brain is too fried to pull it off. I miss reading your blog, GotC. Work is kicking my ass right now. In addition to being as hot as the surface of the sun, Summer is also very busy in my line of work
Whoa?! Squirrels are the aggressors? That’s terrible. Consider me squarely on team bird.
Also, I’ve been missing your comments for sure but I totally understand the craziness of your work schedule- I feel like (in all your spare time) you should totally write a book because I would love to hear more of your work stories and wisdom!
Ha! – love your post and the photo:)
Thanks! Happy Friday!
Well I am forced to assume only chipmunks have the answer. But they are willing to give you credit.
It’s a win-win.
Do you think I’ll get invited to the Chipmunk counsel?? Because that would be so amazing!
The two of you should definitely have your own intervision show together.
that squirrel looks like it just yelled “BOO” at the bird. roflmao
I know! I kind of love this picture!!
I had this same thought the first time I saw an eagle swimming. Nature is weird.
So very very weird.
and we, as human, are so competent at getting two disparate groups to live in peace and harmony…
maybe if you got yourself a microscope and discover new types of “germ” warfare…
Yes, but I have hope and a really positive can-do attitude.
“”I’ve been pestered by squirrels all night,” said Arthur. “They keep on trying to give me magazines and stuff….and bits of rag.” -Mostly Harmless, Douglas Adams.
Squirrels are like that.
Adams quotes in your comments get you at least 10 internet cool points (ICP’s) which are good towards the purchase of coed-naked t-shirts on a shady website that operates out of Bangladesh.
Communication is key. If we figure out a way we can get the birds to talk with the squirrels, I’m sure they’d understand each other a lot better.
Ok, so the first step is to learn both squirrel and bird languages. I’m on it!