BackyardStyle Lawn, Garden and Pond » Woodpecker Feeders / Suet and Food

Suet for Winter Wild Bird Feeding

pawprints — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:41:42 +0000

Feeding Wild Birds in the winter require a different approach than warm weather feeding. Birds are warm blooded animals, which means they need to maintain their body temperature within a specific range even when the temperature around them changes. The maintenance of body temperature is dependent on the amount of heat the bird produces. Birds require a high metabolic rate is keep themselves warm.

To keep up their high metabolic rate, most backyard birds require rich energy foods such as seeds and insects. In the winter insects are hard to find and during snowfall both berries and insects are hard to find. During winter, it is especially helpful to have feeders full of suet. Suet is a high energy formulation of animal fat and other ingredients to attract insect eating birds. Suet will provide a quick source of heat and energy for birds, who’s metabolisms are high in the winter.

There are many types of suet available, the most convenient being suet cakes that fit easily into a suet birdfeeder, like the EZ Fill Bottom Suet Bird Feeder shown on the right. This attractive metal feeder holds up to three standard suet cakes keeping them protected with the solid metal sides. It has a rod indicator on the roof that lets you know the suet level inside the feeder. Each side hasa bird in flight silhouette. A chain is included for easy hanging. The bottom has a 0.5 inch square mesh where the birds can dine in ease. Of course, as the name implies the EZ Fill Bottom Suet Feeder is easy to fill by simply lifting the roof.

Birds that eat suet:
-chickadees
- nuthatches
- woodpeckers

Can also attract:
-wrens
-blue jays
-thrushes

A few suet feeders will bring birds to your yard all winter. Remember to have fresh water available, too.

Wild about Woodpeckers – My Favorite Wild Bird

admin — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Why am I WILD about WOODY?

A Phallic Symbol? I tend to disagree. Woodpeckers are beautiful and distinctly different than the average wild bird that visits our yard. Many of the woodpeckers that frequent our feeders are large and have unusual bright markings.

The feeding antics of Woodpeckers and recognizable calls unique and heartwarming which makes them some of the most popular birds in the United States. You can enjoy woodpeckers, too!

All you have to know is what they prefer to eat – offer it in a selective feeder – and you’ve got woodpeckers! Lyric Woodpecker Mix is designed to do just that.

Feeding woodpeckers can be a series of trial and error: Woodpeckers seem most attracted to suet. Woodpeckers also seem to be attracted to peanuts and peanut bits or basically any birdseed mix with lots of “tree nuts” such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts.

Woodpeckers like to eat peanut and fruit flavored suet cakes in a basket feeder. We like the Duncraft squirrel proof suet basket. Another option is a tail prop birdfeeder. Tail prop feeders allow woodpeckers to feed comfortably, using their tails for support and balance—just like they do on trees. Click here to peek at our popular Recycled tail prop feeder.

Peanuts can be offered in special peanut feeders, or on a platform feeder.

Woodpeckers can be big birds and they have a tendency to cling to feeders. A small tube feeder would not be appropriate when trying to attract woodpeckers. Any bird feeder that allows them to cling to the feeder and hold the weight of the woodpecker would be a good choice.

Have fun being WILD about WOODPECKERS this fall!

Attracting the Acorn Woodpecker with Peanut Suet

admin — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Acorn Woodpeckers are resident in western Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas and are popular amongst wild bird enthusiast’s because of thier brilliant colors.

If you live where Acorn woodpeckers reside – you might already know that they are attracted to peanut suet. You can many times find Acorn Woodpeckers in urban parks or suburban areas where oak trees are common.

Here are a few options that we have found successful in attracting the Acorn woodpecker and it’s woodpecker relatives across the US:

Peanut Crunch Suet by Heath (Case of 12) New blended suet for wild birds.
Peanut Suet Cake by Heath Blended Suet and Peanut parts give added protein to the birds – this is one of our best sellers!
Never Melt Peanut Suet Cake (Case of 12) Peanut Never Melt Suet is also great for finches and other wild birds (by Pine Tree Farms)
Heath Peanut-ty Raisin Suet Mix (comes in a case of 12) The Heath Peanutty Raisin Suet Mix offers a quick source of high energy which is why the Woodpeckers love it.

The coloring of the Acorn Woodpecker male is brilliant red from the nape to a white forehead. The female is red only at the rear of her crown.

We suggest smearing some suet or peanut butter on the outside of your feeder and in the holes to attract the woodpeckers and help it identify the food source.

Happy Woodpecker Feeding!