What suet is and who eats it
Suet is hard animal fat, traditionally from beef, pressed into cakes, plugs or balls, often mixed with seeds, nuts, fruit or insects. It provides concentrated energy, which is why woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, wrens and even some warblers will visit. Downy and hairy woodpeckers are regular customers in much of the country, red-bellied woodpeckers and northern flickers visit across the East and Midwest, and red-headed and pileated woodpeckers appear where habitat suits them.
Feeder types
| Type | Description | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cage feeder | Wire cage that holds a standard cake | Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees | Starlings can empty it quickly |
| Upside-down cage | Cage with access from below | Woodpeckers and nuthatches that cling | Starlings find it harder |
| Tail-prop feeder | Extra tail support or a stiff panel | Larger woodpeckers such as flickers and pileated | Often larger; can be harder to clean |
| Log feeder | Drilled log filled with suet | Natural look; flickers and others | Soft wood weathers; refill often |
| Suet ball or plug feeder | Holder for balls or plugs | Small birds | Easy to overfill |
Most suet feeders are simple to maintain. A wire cage is easy to wipe, rinse and sanitize, while carved or weathered wood is harder to clean.
Placement
Place suet feeders on a pole or tree trunk, or hang them from a branch, at a height of about 5 to 6 feet or higher. Woodpeckers feel safest close to trees. A spot with morning sun and afternoon shade slows melting. Keep suet away from places a raccoon, cat or squirrel can reach, and consider a baffle on the pole. Avoid hanging suet over a deck, where grease can stain.
Hot weather and spoilage
Plain suet softens and can go rancid in hot weather, and melted fat can foul birds' feathers. Common practice is to offer ordinary suet mainly in the cooler months. In summer, some people use "no-melt" or rendered suet cakes, which are heated and re-cooled to help them stay solid at higher temperatures, though they too can spoil in extreme heat. If suet becomes soft, smells sour or looks moldy, throw it away.
Starlings and other troublemakers
European starlings can strip a suet cake in an hour. Upside-down feeders, cages that force birds to hang, and cages with a smaller access area can discourage them, because woodpeckers and nuthatches are comfortable clinging and starlings are not. Offering suet in smaller quantities can help too. Squirrels may chew through soft plastic and thin wire, so look for sturdy feeders.
Homemade suet: proceed with care
Many people make suet at home by melting rendered fat and mixing in seeds, oats or cornmeal, then letting the mixture set. If you try this, keep the following in mind.
- Skip bacon grease and kitchen scraps. They can include salt and additives that are not good for wild birds.
- Skip salt and sugar.
- Use only what birds will eat within a few days, and refrigerate or freeze extras.
- Wash molds and feeders between batches.
Raw suet from a butcher is a different product than rendered suet. Raw fat spoils fast and is a hazard in warm weather. When in doubt, commercial cakes designed for wild birds are the simplest choice.
Peanuts, nuts and other offerings
Woodpeckers and jays also like unsalted peanuts, either in a mesh feeder or whole in the shell, and many species eat black-oil sunflower seed. Use unsalted and unflavored nuts only. Fruits such as orange halves attract orioles in the right region. Mealworms offered in a dish attract bluebirds and wrens, though they require daily attention.
Keeping feeders clean
Take the feeder down every few weeks, scrub with hot soapy water, rinse and dry fully. A mild bleach solution, about one part bleach to nine parts water, is commonly used, followed by thorough rinsing. Remove leftover cake rather than topping it up. Greasy residue grows bacteria, and wear gloves when you handle suet.
Common mistakes
- Leaving ordinary suet out in summer heat.
- Filling with bacon grease or salty scraps.
- Hanging in the sun on a deck rail where squirrels can reach it.
- Not cleaning the cage.
- Using a feeder starlings can easily strip.
Frequently asked questions
Which birds eat suet?
Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, wrens and other insect-eating birds.
Can I leave suet out in summer?
Plain suet softens and spoils in heat. Use no-melt cakes or take suet down when it gets hot, and replace it if it smells off.
How do I keep starlings away from suet?
Use an upside-down cage or a design that requires clinging, and offer it in small amounts.
Is homemade suet safe?
It can be if you use clean rendered fat, no salt or sugar, and make small batches. Avoid bacon grease and raw fat in warm weather.
How often should I clean a suet feeder?
Every few weeks, and whenever you see leftover residue or mold.
