How to Attract Birds to Your Suet Feeder: A Complete Guide
Want to see more birds flock to your backyard? The secret often lies in offering them a high-energy treat they can’t resist. Learn how to get birds to use a suet feeder by choosing the right feeder, offering appealing suet, and creating a welcoming environment.
Why Suet Feeders are a Bird-Attracting Powerhouse
Suet feeders are invaluable for attracting a wide variety of birds, especially during the colder months when natural food sources are scarce. Suet, a high-fat food made primarily from animal fat, provides birds with essential energy to survive harsh conditions. How do you get birds to use a suet feeder, you might ask? It’s all about understanding their needs and preferences.
Benefits of Using a Suet Feeder
Offering suet provides numerous benefits for both birds and bird watchers:
- High-Energy Source: Suet is packed with calories, vital for birds during migration, breeding, and winter.
- Attracts Diverse Species: Suet appeals to birds that don’t typically visit seed feeders, like woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees.
- Year-Round Feeding: While especially beneficial in winter, suet can be offered year-round, providing birds with energy for nesting and raising young.
- Entertaining Birdwatching: Watching birds feast on suet provides hours of enjoyment and opportunities to observe their behavior.
Selecting the Right Suet Feeder
Choosing the right suet feeder is crucial for success. Several types are available, each with its advantages:
- Wire Cage Feeders: These are the most common and affordable. They hold suet cakes securely and are easy to clean.
- Log Feeders: These feeders mimic natural tree trunks and have holes drilled for inserting suet plugs. They can be particularly attractive to woodpeckers.
- Upside-Down Feeders: Designed specifically for clinging birds like chickadees and nuthatches, these feeders prevent larger birds from monopolizing the suet.
- Suet Pellet Feeders: Designed to hold loose suet pellets, providing a more varied feeding option.
Consider these factors when choosing a feeder:
- Durability: Select a feeder made from sturdy materials that can withstand weather conditions and bird activity.
- Ease of Cleaning: Regular cleaning is essential to prevent the spread of disease. Choose a feeder that is easy to disassemble and clean thoroughly.
- Security: Ensure the feeder is securely mounted to prevent it from falling or being stolen by squirrels or other animals.
- Capacity: Choose a size appropriate for the number of birds you expect to attract.
Choosing the Right Suet
Not all suet is created equal. Opt for high-quality suet cakes that are packed with nutritious ingredients.
- Plain Suet: A basic option that attracts a variety of birds.
- Suet with Seeds: Contains seeds like sunflower, millet, and peanuts to attract seed-eating birds.
- Suet with Insects: Contains dried insects like mealworms, which are particularly appealing to insectivorous birds.
- Suet with Berries: Contains dried berries like cranberries or blueberries, providing antioxidants and attracting fruit-eating birds.
- No-Melt Suet: Formulated to withstand higher temperatures, making it suitable for year-round feeding.
Tips for Choosing Suet:
- Check the Ingredients: Look for suet cakes with high-quality ingredients and minimal fillers.
- Consider the Season: In warmer months, choose no-melt suet to prevent it from becoming rancid.
- Experiment: Try different flavors and varieties to see which ones your birds prefer.
Location, Location, Location: Where to Place Your Suet Feeder
The placement of your suet feeder can significantly impact its success. Birds prefer feeders that are:
- Sheltered: Place the feeder near trees or shrubs to provide birds with cover and protection from predators.
- Away from Windows: To prevent window collisions, place the feeder either very close to a window (less than 3 feet) or far away (more than 30 feet).
- Out of Reach of Squirrels: Mount the feeder on a pole with a squirrel baffle, or hang it from a branch with a smooth, overhanging wire.
- Accessible to Birds: Ensure the feeder is easily accessible to birds, with clear flight paths and ample perching space.
Maintaining Your Suet Feeder
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your suet feeder clean and inviting:
- Clean the Feeder Regularly: Clean the feeder every few weeks, or more often if it becomes dirty or moldy. Use hot, soapy water and a scrub brush to remove any debris. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before refilling.
- Remove Old Suet: Discard any old or rancid suet, as it can attract unwanted pests and spread disease.
- Monitor for Pests: Check the feeder regularly for signs of pests like ants or rodents. Take steps to control pests as needed.
- Refill Regularly: Keep the feeder consistently filled with fresh suet to attract and retain birds.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Low-Quality Suet: Cheap suet often contains fillers that birds won’t eat.
- Placing the Feeder in a Busy Area: Birds prefer feeders that are located in quiet, sheltered areas.
- Neglecting Maintenance: A dirty or neglected feeder can deter birds.
- Giving Up Too Soon: It may take time for birds to discover your feeder. Be patient and persistent.
Addressing Squirrels and Other Unwanted Guests
Squirrels are notorious for raiding bird feeders. Here are some tips for deterring them:
- Use a Squirrel Baffle: A squirrel baffle is a cone-shaped barrier that prevents squirrels from climbing up the feeder pole.
- Choose a Squirrel-Resistant Feeder: Some feeders are designed with cages or other features that make it difficult for squirrels to access the suet.
- Offer Squirrel Food Separately: Provide squirrels with their own food source, such as corn or nuts, in a separate feeder.
- Use Hot Pepper Suet: Birds are not sensitive to capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers hot, but squirrels are.
Table: Comparing Suet Feeder Types
| Feeder Type | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| —————— | ———————————————————————————- | ——————————————————————— | ——————————————— |
| Wire Cage | Affordable, easy to clean, attracts a variety of birds | May be susceptible to squirrel raids | General bird feeding |
| Log Feeder | Natural look, attractive to woodpeckers, durable | More difficult to clean, may not hold as much suet | Attracting woodpeckers and other clingers |
| Upside-Down | Deters larger birds, encourages clinging behavior | May not be suitable for all bird species | Chickadees, nuthatches, and other clingers |
| Suet Pellet Feeder | Offers a varied feeding option, easy to refill | May attract unwanted pests | Offering a variety of suet textures |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I clean my suet feeder?
Clean your suet feeder at least every two weeks, or more often if it appears dirty or moldy. Regular cleaning helps prevent the spread of diseases and keeps the suet fresh and appealing to birds.
What kind of suet should I use in the summer?
In the summer, always use no-melt suet. Regular suet will melt in the heat, becoming rancid and attracting unwanted pests. No-melt suet is specially formulated to withstand higher temperatures.
Will suet feeders attract rodents?
While suet feeders primarily attract birds, they can occasionally attract rodents, especially if the suet contains seeds or nuts. To minimize this risk, choose suet without seeds or nuts and keep the area around the feeder clean. Consider using a feeder that is designed to deter rodents.
Why aren’t birds visiting my new suet feeder?
It can take time for birds to discover a new feeder. Be patient and persistent. Ensure the feeder is placed in a suitable location with shelter and clear flight paths. Try offering different types of suet to see which ones the birds prefer. Consider adding a bird bath nearby to attract more birds.
Can I make my own suet?
Yes, you can make your own suet using rendered animal fat, seeds, nuts, and other ingredients. There are many recipes available online. Be sure to use high-quality ingredients and avoid adding salt or other harmful substances.
Is it okay to feed birds suet year-round?
Yes, it is perfectly fine to feed birds suet year-round. While it is especially beneficial in winter, suet provides birds with valuable energy for nesting, raising young, and migrating. Just be sure to use no-melt suet in the warmer months.
What types of birds are attracted to suet feeders?
Suet feeders attract a wide variety of birds, including woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, wrens, kinglets, and even some warblers and robins. The specific species that visit your feeder will depend on your location and the type of suet you offer.
How do I keep squirrels away from my suet feeder?
There are several ways to deter squirrels from raiding suet feeders, including using squirrel baffles, choosing squirrel-resistant feeders, offering squirrel food separately, and using hot pepper suet.
What are the best ingredients to include in homemade suet?
Great additions to homemade suet include black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, dried mealworms, berries, and cracked corn. These ingredients provide essential nutrients and attract a variety of birds.
How do I know if my suet has gone bad?
Suet that has gone bad will typically have a rancid odor and a greasy or oily texture. It may also be discolored or moldy. Discard any suet that appears to be spoiled, as it can be harmful to birds.
What’s the ideal height to hang a suet feeder?
The ideal height to hang a suet feeder is typically 4 to 6 feet off the ground. This height is high enough to deter most predators and squirrels, but still accessible to birds.
Can I use store-bought lard for suet?
Yes, store-bought lard can be used as a base for suet, but ensure it’s unseasoned and unsalted. Rendered beef fat is generally considered a better option as it is more natural.