Suet Feeders

Suet feeders are a particular style of wild bird feeder designed specifically for suet bird food. They are sometimes called woodpecker feeders. With its high fat content, suet offers energy-rich nutrition, making it perfect for attracting many beloved backyard birds such as woodpeckers, cardinals, blue birds and wrens. Suet bird feeders come in many shapes and sizes. The most common style is a simple wire basket that measures about four inches square and is about two inches thick. It is designed specifically for holding commercially produced suet cakes.

Commercially produced suet bird food cakes come in a variety of mixes including some with special ingredients like raisins, cherries, nuts, bug parts, and birdseed. Since suet cakes are made of saturated fats, they tend to melt in warmer temperatures. Many backyard birding enthusiasts only offer suet bird food in the winter. However, suet manufacturers have processes to raise the melting point of suet bird food and some premium varieties have special no melt designations.

High energy suet is beneficial in the spring time as many birds have traveled great distances to reach their breeding grounds. Nest building, breeding, defending territories and raising young requires a lot of energy and suet provides the much needed energy-rich nutrition.

There are many styles of suet feeders to choose from, here are a few of my favorites.

Birds Choice Recycled Doubled Suet Cake Suet Bird Feeder This suet feeder holds two standard sized suet cakes. The paddle at the bottom of the feeder helps larger tree clinging birds such as Pileated Woodpeckers balance as they eat. An added benefit to this feeder is that it is made from recycled milk jugs. Using a feeder made from recycled materials helps reduce landfill waste. This wild bird feeder is easy to fill, simply slide the lid up the cable and drop in two suet cakes.

Vari-Crafts Double Suet Cake Feeder The Vari-Crafts Double Suet Cake Feeder is a great way to add suet to the menu for your favorite birds. This wooden feeder features a base that provides a comfortable place for birds to rest while feeding. The rustic wooden feeder roof helps protect the suet and birds from the elements. Filling this suet bird feeder is easy, simply slide the roof up the included metal hanger and rotate it to the side to insert two standard suet cakes. Birds can feast from all sides of the feeder allowing you to observe multiple birds feeding at the same time.

Birds Choice Recycled Upside Down Suet Feeder This suet bird feeder's design allows birds to cling to the bottom and feed. Tree clinging birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches and wrens will have no trouble feeding upside down. But squirrels will find it difficult and tiresome feeding while hanging upside down and it is nearly impossible for starlings to feed from this feeder. An added benefit to this feeder is that it is made from recycled milk jugs. Using a feeder made from recycled materials helps reduce landfill waste. This wild bird feeder is easy to fill - just slide the lid up the cable and drop in the suet cake.

Duncraft Squirrel-Proof Feeding Station Bird Feeder This Duncraft Feeding Station combines a tube seed feeder and a suet feeder into one squirrel resistant bird feeder. The design creates a safe haven for small songbirds while keeping squirrels out. The 1.5" green vinyl-coated square fencing not only keeps squirrels out, but it creates perching for many of thr small seed eating birds. The green metal base features drainage holes to keep your seed dry and fresh. The inner vinyl-coated wire cage holds two suet cakes. This original Duncraft design features an open-wire bottom to prevent seed build-up so that squirrels are not enticed to cling and feed. The green metal roof and cap help to prevent squirrel damage and serve to keep seed dry and fresh. The ingenious Squirrel Lock keeps squirrels from lifting the cap.