Question: What do squirrels eat????

The Tsonga red squirrel is an endemic and rarity to see here on Phinda something that all guests visiting us should try and ask their rangers to show them. One of the ways we are often alerted to their presence is by their high pitched alarm call. After many occasions of trying to find out what would set these little creatures off, such as snakes or other predators like various cats. My tracker, Dumi Q, made an interesting comment. His views where that by alarming from an exposed branch other small birds would gather round to also alarm and mob the snake or predator, while the bird would be alarming the squirrel would use this opportunity to flick around attack it and secure an easy meal. Far fetched I thought even though I had observed birds getting really close to the squirrel, I will read up about it in a mammals book that is known to provide the answers for most mammal related questions and has good scientific backing. Yes I was right squirrels eat nuts and fruit, it has never been recorded but may eat bird eggs or chicks in a nest. With my new found knowledge I was ready to put it across to Dumi Q when another seasoned ranger who grew up in this are Dumisani Mpanza calmly told me my tracker was right as he to had witnessed a Tsonga red squirrel catch and eat a puff back shrike. These are two bush peoples who I am now convinced could help a few researches out. But has anyone else seen or heard of this happening???

Posted: &BEYOND Phinda by Seth Vorster, Date: 29 October 2007