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Do squirrels bite?

Yes, squirrels can and do bite if they feel threatened particularly during the spring and summer time when they are with their young. A squirrel can inflict a very nasty bite, usually made worse by...

How long do squirrels live for?

For a squirrel it seems that it all depends whether the squirrel makes it to her first birthday… The dangers start as soon as the squirrel is born. Its mother may produce enough milk, and the baby ...

Can squirrels swim?

Yes, squirrels can indeed swim. Squirrels frequently visit open water to drink during hot weather, and, in the course of their travels, will undoubtedly come across water on many occasions. Hapless...

Where do squirrels live and build their nests?

The simple answer is anywhere and everywhere, but woodland is their natural home. Woods are naturally a relatively undisturbed and stable habitat, although modern forestry practices mean that squir...

Tawny, Little and Barn Owls - A Guide

More likely to be heard rather than seen, owls become more active after dark feeding on a diet of small mammals, birds, rodents and invertebrates. It is possible to determine the diet of owls by ex...

Pigeons - A Guide to Pigeon Birds

Introduced and bred for sport, pheasants are game birds, whereas pigeons and doves have adapted well to living alongside people, although their presence is sometimes unwelcome. Large flocks of fera...

Magpies, Rooks, Ravens, Jackdaws, Starlings and Nightingales

Studies suggest that corvids, such as magpies, rooks and ravens, rank among the most intelligent of birds. Many display an instinctive desire to hoard food, such as acorns, to help sustain them thr...

Finches - A Guide to Finches

Finches feed mainly on seeds but, by adopting different feeding strategies, they can exploit a variety of food sources without competing with each other: Goldfinches, for example, eat small seeds w...

How do birds mate, nest & rear chicks?

Birds vary in their nesting habits, some constructing very simple nests and others making elaborate ones. All birds reproduce by laying eggs, which are covered with a hard, calcareous shell. The nu...

How and why do birds sing & court?

Birdsong is a key element in courtship and pairing, and attract mates. serving to establish territory It is of particular interest to birdwatchers because it helps in species identification. Birds'...

How do birds fly?

Some birds seen in gardens spend much of their lives in a last the air, whereas others will only fly as resort if threatened. The mechanics of flight are similar in all birds, but flight patterns v...

What’s the difference between rural and urban birds?

In urban areas, some birds display a remarkable ability to adapt to modern life, settling in the heart of towns and cities. They use buildings for nesting and, in the case of predatory birds, as va...

Robins, Sparrows, Dunnocks, Wrens, Tits & Blackbirds

Although sparrows, dunnocks and wrens commonly reside in gardens, these birds are not easily noticed because of their small stature. The dull-coloured plumage provides camouflage, blending in with ...

Swans, Ducks & Aquatic Birds - A Guide

Some birds are drawn to gardens with or near ponds and streams because of feeding opportunities, while others seek sanctuary from would-be predators in these surroundings. There is a great variety ...

How to feed and attract wild birds to your garden

Why feeding wild birds is important As more of the countryside is swallowed up by new housing and industrial developments, the natural habitats of many birds are being reduced or lost altogether. G...