American Red Squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Small, vocal, and fiercely territorial, the American Red Squirrel is the 'chickaree' of the forest. Identifiable by their fiery coats and white eye rings, these energetic mammals are a constant source of entertainment for backyard observers.
Quick Identification
Size
Length: 28–35 cm (11–14 in); Weight: 200–250 g (7.1–8.8 oz)
Colors
Reddish-brown to olive-gray upper coat with a distinct white or cream-colored belly; often features a dark lateral stripe along the sides in summer.
Key Features
- Prominent white eye rings
- Small size compared to gray squirrels
- Bushy tail with a mix of red, black, and white-tipped hairs
- Bold, chattering vocalizations
When You’ll See Them
Sightings on EverydayEarth
May 13, 2026
A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak perches on the feeder tray, cracking open sunflower seeds. It departs suddenly just before an American Red Squirrel leaps onto the feeder to begin foraging in the same spot.
Jun 19, 2026
An American Red Squirrel scrambles onto the feeder tray, momentarily filling the frame before quickly leaping away. Its reddish coat and white eye-rings are clearly visible as it moves across the feeder.
Jun 12, 2026
An American Red Squirrel scurries up the tree trunk and pauses to peer into the entrance of the nest box. After a brief investigation, it turns around and climbs back down out of view.
Jun 12, 2026
An American Red Squirrel explores the bird feeder tray, sniffing at the surface. It then climbs directly onto the camera housing, obscuring the lens with its fur as it moves.
Jun 12, 2026
An American Red Squirrel hops onto the feeder tray, pauses to eat a small bit of seed, and then moves extremely close to the camera lens, momentarily filling the frame before departing.
Jun 11, 2026
An American Red Squirrel hops onto the feeder tray, busily sniffing around for seeds. It turns its body, showing its white belly and bushy tail, before jumping off the side of the feeder.
Geographic range
Where Does the American Red Squirrel Live?
The American Red Squirrel is a native fixture of the North American landscape, stretching from the northern treeline in Alaska and across the vast boreal forests of Canada. Within the United States, their core range extends through the Rocky Mountains, the Great Lakes region, and the Northeast down into the Appalachian Mountains. While they are absent from the central plains and the deep south, they are incredibly common wherever spruce, fir, and pine trees provide a steady supply of cones.
Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors
Recorded on EverydayEarth
Behavior
The American Red Squirrel is a highly territorial and solitary mammal, known for its fiery personality and loud, scolding calls. Unlike many other squirrel species, they defend an exclusive year-round territory that centers around their food cache. They are most famous for creating 'middens'—large piles of discarded cone scales and stored seeds that can be used for generations and often reach several feet in height.
These squirrels are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active throughout the daylight hours. They are incredibly agile climbers and spend much of their time in the canopy, though they frequently descend to the ground to forage or bury seeds. In suburban environments, they are bold and curious, often dominating bird feeders despite their small size, and frequently engaging in high-speed chases with intruders.
EverydayEarth exclusive
Camera Tips
To capture the best footage of an American Red Squirrel, place your camera approximately 2 to 3 feet off the ground. These squirrels are habitual travelers, so look for 'highways' like fence rails, fallen logs, or low-hanging branches near evergreen trees. Mounting the camera directly onto a tree trunk facing a nearby feeding station or a known midden will guarantee frequent triggers.
Because Red Squirrels are incredibly fast and twitchy, use a camera with a fast trigger speed (0.3 seconds or less) and a high frame rate for video. Set your photo burst mode to take 3-5 images per trigger to increase the chances of catching them between their sudden, erratic movements. If your camera allows for it, a wide-angle lens is better than a telephoto because they tend to get very close to the lens out of curiosity.
Baiting is highly effective for this species. A smear of peanut butter on a tree trunk or a handful of black oil sunflower seeds and walnuts will keep them in the frame long enough for a clear shot. During the winter, they are especially active at feeders when other food sources are buried under snow. Positioning your camera near a source of water, like a birdbath, is also an excellent strategy during the hot summer months when they need to hydrate between foraging bouts.
Similar Species
Species that look similar or are commonly confused with American Red Squirrel.
Frequently Asked Questions
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