One of three species of Pine Squirrel in the Tamiasciurus genus under the Sciuridae family.
Wikipedia Introduction:
The Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) is a pine squirrel found in western North America, from the Pacific Northwest (including the northwestern coastal states of the United States as well as the southwestern coast of British Columbia in Canada) to central California, with an isolated subspecies in northern Baja California, Mexico. It is sometimes known as the chickaree or pine squirrel, although these names are also used for the American red squirrel. Variant spellings of the common name are Douglas' squirrel and Douglas's squirrel. read more.
The Locals…
Our property has a healthy population of Douglas Squirrels that we enjoy watching throughout the day.
The show begins in the morning after I have placed mixed nuts and seeds in various places for them and the birds to hunt. It is typically the Stellar Jays that show up first but on occasion the squirrels are earlier than the birds. They tend to find their territorial spot chattering and chasing away any other squirrel that get too close. They also chase the Jays who simply fly a short distance, return, then get chased away again. Of all the animals that arrive, it is the Douglas Squirrel that asserts its dominance within their chosen territory.
They seem to tolerate the smaller birds such as Dark-Eyed Junco, Chickadee, Nuthatch, Spotted Towhee, and Hermit Thrush. The Douglas Squirrel doesn’t tolerate other squirrels, Chipmunk, and Stellar Jays. All the animals don’t mess with the Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, or the Red Breasted Sapsucker.
The entire yard surrounding our cabin is natural, we let nature do the landscaping of our beautiful Big Leaf Maple and Western Red Cedar forest. In this environment we are treated with spectacular beauty as we observe wildlife that visit. The Douglas Squirrel has become a kindred spirit.
Chickeree…
Scientific Classification & Range
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Mammalia
Order - Rodentia
Family - Sciuridae
Genus - Tamiasciurus
Species - Tamiasciurus douglasii
Description…
The Native Americans of Kings River called it the "Pillillooeet". It is also sometimes called “chickaree” or “pine squirrel” but these are also names given to the American Red Squirrel. I have found three spellings - Douglas’s Squirrel, Douglas’ Squirrel and Douglas Squirrel.
Habitat…
Diet…
Reproduction…
Resources…
Animal Diversity Web - Tamiasciurus douglasii
National Park Service - Douglas’s Squirrel
Wikipedia - Douglas Squirrel
