What does chirping mean?

[Squarl]

Leafy the 14 week old pine squirrel has been doing this chirping thing more frequently lately. Im not sure if he's scared, being territorial, or just doing his squirrelyy thing.

He wont come to us while he does this, sometimes he'll even hide.

Here's a video. I couldn't figure how to turn it around so it's sideways but whatever :D it works


https://youtu.be/lHGX3VOxPaI

[island rehabber]

That looks like he's "alarming" to me. The flicking tail is a dead giveaway. He sees or hears something that he perceives as a threat, and he's going into alarm mode -- chirping to warn everyone around him that there is danger. He's very cute, by the way!

[Squarl]

That looks like he's "alarming" to me.

Should I do anything about this? I figured he was scared But I cannot find out what sets him off. Usually it Only Last a few minutes, sometimes I can distract him with a treat But I don't want him doing that for treats...

[island rehabber]

Should I do anything about this? I figured he was scared But I cannot find out what sets him off. Usually it Only Last a few minutes, sometimes I can distract him with a treat But I don't want him doing that for treats...

He won't...and don't try to distract him. It's a critical survival skill that squirrels have and they protect each other, and their neighbors in the forest, with it. Once they begin alarming it's reflexive -- they really can't stop. At his age they alarm a lot; later on he'll get used to certain sounds that once set him off.
ANYTHING can set them off, even a leaf-blower three houses down the block.