What is Suet for Birds? Top Tips, Birds That Love It & More (2024)

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Suet is the raw fat found around the kidneys and loins of cattle and sheep. It’s a high-energy treat for birds, offering them a boost of fat, especially during cold weather. This tasty snack can be homemade or store-bought and often includes other ingredients like peanut butter, peanuts, birdseed, and cracked corn.

You might be wondering if it’s better to make your own suet or buy it. Well, let’s take a look—we’re about to compare the pros and cons of each option.

What is Suet for Birds?

Ever wondered what that white stuff around beef kidneys is?

Well, that’s suet. It’s the fat surrounding the kidneys and loins of cattle and sheep.

And guess what? Birds love it. Suet is a great source of energy for our feathered friends, especially during the cold winter months.

It’s typically made from animal fat, but you can also find plant-based options made with vegetable shortening or nut buters.

You can buy suet cakes or make your own suet recipes at home. Either way, it’s a tasty treat for birds and a great way to attract a variety of species to your backyard.

What Are Suet Cakes for Birds?

Suet cakes are the most common type of suet—a tasty treat for our feathered friends.

These square-shaped blocks are made from a mix of ingredients, like suet (or rendered beef fat), peanut butter, peanuts, birdseed, and cracked corn.

You can either buy these ready-made or whip up a batch yourself.

Birds love these energy-packed snacks, especially when the weather’s chilly.

Should I Make Suet or Buy It?

Now, you may be wondering whether to make your own suet or buy it. Well, the answer depends on a few factors:

1. Time: Making suet from scratch can be a fun DIY project, but it does require some time and effort. If you’re short on time, store-bought suet is a more convenient option.
2. Cost: Homemade suet can be more cost-effective, especially if you have some of the ingredients on hand. However, the cost of buying all the necessary ingredients may outweigh the savings, so be sure to compare prices.
3. Effort: Preparing homemade suet recipes can be a fun activity, but it also requires some planning and prep work. If you’re looking for a quick and easy option, store-bought suet might be preferable.
4. Variety: Store-bought suet comes in a wide range of options, often including a variety of ingredients that birds love. If you’re looking for a specific type of suet or want to offer a greater variety, buying suet might be the way to go.

Where to Hang a Suet Feeder

Now that you know what suet is and why birds love it, let’s talk about where to hang those suet feeders in your backyard.

Feeder Placement

The ideal spot for your Suet feeder is about 10 to 12 feet from shrubs or trees, giving birds a quick escape route from predators. You’ll want to hang your feeder either within 3 feet of a window or farther than 30 feet away to prevent bird collisions.

Height Safety

Make sure your feeder is at a height that’s easily accessible for refilling and cleaning. You don’t want it too high, as this can make it tricky to manage, and too low might invite unwanted guests like squirrels or cats. Aim for a comfortable height that balances bird safety with your own convenience.

What Birds Eat Suet?

If you’re wondering which birds to expect at your suet feeder, you’re in for a treat. A wide range of birds enjoy this high-energy treat, from Chickadees and nuthatches to woodpeckers and jays, with some species having a particular fondness for suet cakes.

Red-Headed Woodpecker

These medium-sized birds with their striking crimson heads are among the many woodpeckers that love suet. You can attract these beauties to your backyard with suet feeders.

Canada Jay

The Canada jay, a robin-sized bird found in northern forests, is a fan of suet. These birds have an interesting relationship with food, and their habits can offer insight into the importance of suet as a food source.

1. Canada jays are known for their ability to cache food, storing it for later consumption.
2. They’re one of the few birds that can produce their own vitamin C, which is essential for survival in the winter when fresh food is scarce.
3. Habitat loss and conservation efforts: With a decreasing population due to habitat loss, these birds face challenges, but conservation efforts are underway to protect their environment and food sources.
4. Winter survival: Suet can be a key food source for Canada jays during the cold months, providing them with the energy they need to survive.

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals are sizable songbirds with strong, thick beaks. They love suet, especially in winter, as it provides the high-calorie nourishment they need. Suet with seeds mixed in is especially attractive to these birds.

Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America. These birds are 5.5 to 7.1 inches long and live in forested areas across the United States and Canada. They’re permanent residents, but northern birds may migrate south for winter. They forage on weed stalks and trees, feeding on insects, seeds, and berries.

Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted titmouse is a bird species that enjoys eating suet. Here are some fun facts about this bird:

• They’ve a tuft of feathers on their heads, giving them a distinctive look.
• These birds are found in deciduous forests, especially those with oaks.
• They’ve a grey back, white underparts, and a rust-colored patch on their crests.
• Tufted titmice are social birds, often living in small flocks.
• Their diet includes insects, spiders, seeds, and berries, in addition to suet.

Will Other Wildlife Eat Suet?

Yep, suet’s a tasty treat for other critters, too. You might spot squirrels, raccoons, deer, or even bears chowing down on your bird’s suet.

Wildlife	Attraction to Suet
Squirrels	High
Raccoons	High
Deer	Moderate
Bears	High

You can use a baffle to keep smaller animals from reaching the suet.

Can You Feed Suet in Warm Weather?

The short answer is yes, but with some adjustments. Here are some tips to make sure your feathered friends stay safe and well-fed during the summer months:

1. Opt for no-melt suet blends designed to withstand higher temperatures.
2. Position feeders in shady areas to prevent the suet from melting.
3. Use baffles or cages to protect the suet from other wildlife, who may be even more persistent in their search for food during the warmer months.

Birds That Love Suet

Suet is a tasty treat for a wide range of birds. From energetic woodpeckers to playful chickadees, you’ll attract a diverse flock to your backyard with this high-energy snack. Here’s a list of some common birds that can’t resist suet:

Bird Type	Common Examples
Woodpeckers	Red-headed woodpecker, Downy woodpecker
Jays	Canada jay
Cardinals	Northern cardinal
Chickadees
Nuthatches
Wrens
Thrashers
Bluebirds
Grosbeaks
Catbirds
Mockingbirds

Suet is like a magnet for these birds, and it’s a great way to attract species that don’t usually visit seed feeders, like bluebirds and kinglets. So, if you’re looking to increase the variety of birds in your backyard, suet is a surefire way to do it!

Suet Vs. Birdseed

Suet offers some clear advantages over traditional birdseed:

1. Energy Boost: Suet is higher in fat and calories, providing a quick energy hit for your feathered friends, especially during the colder months.
2. Mess-Free: Say goodbye to seed spillage and waste! Suet is less likely to make a mess.
3. Bird Diversity: Offering suet can attract a wider variety of birds to your backyard, including species that aren’t typically seed eaters.
4. Summer Nutrition: In the warmer months, suet provides essential nutrition for busy parent birds and their growing chicks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)