Suet Bird Feeder
Suet feeders are used to offer high-calorie suet cakes to birds; particularly important during colder months when seed and insects are scarce. Suet feeders typically feature a "cage" design that holds one or two standard cakes. Made from rendered beef fat, nuts, and seeds, suet is especially enjoyed by woodpeckers, cardinals, wrens, and bluebirds.
Bird suet is specifically made to be highly nutritious to birds. Suet cakes are now made with special ingredients like raisins, cherries, nuts, bug parts, and seed. Its primary function is to provide fat, protein, and calories during times when other food sources are scarce. Since suet cakes are made of saturated fats, they can melt in warmer temperatures. However, suet manufacturers have processes to reduce the melting point of bird suet and some premium varieties have special no melt designations.
Suet feeders come in a variety of designs. Bottom suet bird feeders are specially made for clinging birds, like woodpeckers, to hang from and feed. Other feeders feature a tail prop. This feature is simply a paddle that extends from the bottom of the feeder, since some species of woodpecker, such as pileated woodpeckers, like to have support under their long tail while they feed!
Using suet bird feeders is easy, and it will be very much appreciated by your hungry backyard friends. With the great variety of suet flavors available, it's also fun to experiment with different "menus!"