According to a study published in the journal Nature, baby birds are at risk of injury or death if they nest near squirrels. The study found that 24% of baby birds in areas with high squirrel density died, compared to only 4% of those in areas with low squirrel density.nnThe study's authors believe that the difference is due to the fact that squirrels are territorial animals, and will kill or injure anything that they see as a threat to their territory. This includes baby birds, which are unable to defend themselves.nnIf you're concerned about the safety of baby birds in your area, you can take steps to protect them. For example, you can install squirrel-proof bird feeders and nesting boxes. You can also remove sources of food that attract squirrels, such as nuts and berries.