Suet can be fed to our backyard birds all year long. During the summer months adult birds will feed suet to their young, but it is especially important to offer suet to the birds during the cold winter months. Suet is high in calories and fat which provides the birds with more energy. They need to consume more fat in the colder months to help them brave the elements.
Suet feeders come in many shapes, sizes and colours. You can purchase your basic suet feeder which is a small square cage, or you may decide on a double suet feeder which holds two cakes of suet. You could also go all out and purchase a squirrel-proof suet feeder. We have suet feeders that have cages around them to keep the gray and black squirrels out... but not the red squirrels and chipmunks. The Squirrel Buster collection of feeders has added a squirrel-proof suet feeder that keeps all squirrels and chipmunks away and you can adjust the tension to keep larger birds off if you prefer.
There are other options for you to consider as well. Some of our bird feeders include suet cages on either side. This style of feeder enables birds that prefer to perch rather than cling access to suet. If you decide on this type of feeder I would highly recommend using squirrel-proof suet. You can also keep it simple by adding pieces of suet or suet nuggets to a platform feeder which invites all birds to the table.
Woodpeckers are regulars at my suet feeders including the Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied. They're not the only visitors to the feeders though, the Chickadees, Blue Jays, Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, and House Sparrows also make frequent visits. I've added another suet feeder to attempt to accommodate all of these birds. If you're lucky, you may also attract the Pileated Woodpecker!
There are many different varieties of suet to choose from. The Mill Creek brand gives you a choice of mixed seed, fruit and nut, peanut, vegan nut, and the favourite of my birds, the insect and nut cake. If you have more that one suet feeder, you can mix it up and offer an all nut or seed blend cake for variety.
Please come and see us, we'd be able to help you decide which feeder would work best for your feathered friends.
Happy Birding!
Author- Jane Paradis
