Backyard Style - Outdoor, Backyard Pond and Birding

Well, as the wind chill dips below 0 degrees, I decided it was necessary to take care of my wild birds by bringing out the suet. Bird Suet is a combination of animal fat and other ingredients that make up a high energy product for wild birds. People used to think of suet as greasy an messy. The new bird suets available are not greasy and messy. In fact, seed feeding is messier. The new bird suets use rendered beef fat and fruit and seed combinations. Fat is the greatest source of energy and birds metabolism is so great that in order to survive, they need a high source of energy.


The main reason to use suet is because it is an immediate source of HEAT and ENERGY for your wild birds. Suet attracts birds that normally feed on insects, but cannot because the insects are no where to be found during the cold winter weather.

Many birds are attracted to suet, including woodpeckers, chickadees, bluebirds, warblers, wrens, orioles, kinglets, nuthatches, and more.

My favorite suet feeder is the Heath Dragonfly Double Suet Cake Feeder pictured above. Its wings and tail allow plenty of perching space for your birds and it holds two suet cakes (so you don't have to change it so often during the cold weather).


My favorite winter suet cakes are manufactured by Heath Mfg Co who also manufacture other great looking bird feeders - both suet and seed. My favorite suet cake is the Citrus Grove Suet Cakes. These suet cakes attract song birds -- gold finch, nuthatches, purple finch (my favorite winter bird - it is gorgeous) and cardinals.



Now, the best part about suet feeding it that it is no longer for winter feeding only. That means once your birds arrive this winter, they stay for the spring and summer feeding off the suet. There is special suet for the summer called Never Melt Suet by Pine Tree Farms. The Never Melt Suet varieties are endless.



Start your suet feeding now and your birds will stay all year round. It has to get warm sooner or later and you will be able to go outside and enjoy your birds, instead of watching them through the window.

Labels: Heath, suet, suet feeders