Grey squirrel pays visit to bird feeder

Red and Gray Squirrel

I got a surprise this week when I opened my curtains to look at my bird feeder. I had been watching goldfinches, nuthatches, chick-a-dees and little red squirrels feed for days. What a shock to open the window and discover a HUGE grey squirrel hanging upside down on the feeder!

I've lived in this house for 6 years and it is the first time I have seen grey squirrels here. Are far as I can tell, I only have one and he comes back regularly to feed. Fortunately, he can't raid the my fly thru feeder and spends most of his time cleaning up stray seeds on the ground. Of course, I would be lying if I said I didn't throw a few extra seeds around just for him.

I'm not sure why, but here in Maine grey squirrels are typically seen in more populated areas and aren't that common in rural areas. Perhaps they choose to remain in the woods when it is available, but to be honest, I've never seen one in the woods.

Grey Squirrels

• The grey squirrel's body is 9 to 11 inches long with a 8 to 10 inch fluffy tail. From nose to the tip of the tail the grey squirrel measures 17 to 21 inches.
• It weights 14 to 21 ounces.
• It may be grey, reddish-brown or black with a white tummy.
• Grey squirrels bound across the lawn.

Red Squirrels

• The red squirrel's body is 6 to 8 inches long with a 4 to 6 inch tail. From the tip of the nose to the end of the tail, the red squirrel rarely reaches more than a foot long. Because the tail is curled over the back, he appears much smaller.
• The red squirrel weighs 7 to 8 ounces.
• The fur on the red squirrel is reddish-brown with a white belly.
• Red squirrels prance, making short jerky motions, on branches or before they run off.