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Suet for the Birds

Suet is essentially a solidified mix of fats, which birds eat to stay warm. Particularly in winter, suet is a valuable bird food. You can buy these suet cakes I have in the photo. Put them in a suet cage and hang in your trees. Many birds enjoy this especially in the winter when food is scarce.

 Photo ©CarolDM

Woodpeckers are one bird I see a lot eating these cakes. Mockingbirds visit as well. You can also make your own suet.

  • You can use almost any seed or grain, mixed with beef fat, lard, or natural peanut butter. A basic suet combines equal parts of beef fat and assorted birdseed.
  • Put it in a tuna or cat food can to chill (or freeze) until it’s hard enough to hold its shape, then release it into a wire suet cage or sturdy mesh bag.
  • For a fancier suet, add natural peanut butter to the mix. You can also bind cornmeal or oatmeal with natural peanut butter and spread it into holes drilled in a post or log.
  • Birds also like dried fruits, so consider adding raisins, currants, apricots, or citron.                                                Photo ©CarolDM
  • Ever used suet cakes in your yard for birds?

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Written by Carol DM

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