It’s common to catch squirrels helping themselves to my bird feeders, but this morning brought something entirely new. For the first time, I watched a Cottontail Rabbit hop right into my platform feeder and start eating birdseed like it belonged there.
A Bold Visitor in Broad Daylight
The rabbit wasted no time. It climbed onto the stone base, stepped into the mesh tray, and settled comfortably among the sunflower seeds and millet. Calm and composed, it seemed completely unfazed by the fact that it was dining in a space usually reserved for birds.
Not Just for the Birds Anymore
I’m used to seeing squirrels compete with cardinals and blue jays, but I’ve never seen a rabbit behave like this. This particular cottontail sat confidently in the middle of the feeder and munched away as if it were a regular guest. I quickly grabbed my camera and captured several shots before it finished its snack.
Caught in the Act
The moment unfolded in my Arkansas yard, where the grass still held onto the morning dew. The rabbit didn’t mind. It stayed long enough for a photo session before casually hopping off, leaving behind a few scattered seeds and a fun wildlife encounter to remember.
Not Just a One-Time Thing
At first, I thought this was a lucky, for the rabbit, one-time event. But the visits continued. Since then, this determined rabbit has become a regular, returning almost daily to check the feeder. I even wrote a follow-up post, Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Raids My Bird Feeder Again, showing how the behavior has persisted.
Why Rabbits Rarely Do This
Rabbits are not natural climbers, so they rely on accessible food sources close to the ground. This cottontail’s use of backyard terrain to reach seeds shows a level of adaptability not often associated with the species.