3 minute read
Suet Feeders 101
Emma Macek
Emma Macek is a public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications.
Are you looking for a way to help our feathered friends this winter? Consider putting out a suet feeder. You can make the suet yourself and pack it with the nutrients birds need.
“In winter, everything a bird does is to get enough calories to survive to the next day,” said Ryan Brady, DNR conservation biologist. “Suet is one of the foods that gives them the calories and energy to do that.”
Suet feeders consist of a suet, or fat, mixture in a hanging cage or container. Brady suggested asking your local butcher for discarded fat but avoiding bacon. You also can use natural peanut butter or vegetable shortening, as both are high in fat.
Along with the suet, you’ll need a binding structure, such as oats, bird seed or cornmeal. Black oil sunflower seeds also are great to add to the mixture, as they’re high in fat — and most birds love them.
“Those plus the suet are like mega energy,” Brady said. To make the mixture, melt the suet and combine it with the dry ingredients. Once cool, add the mixture to a mold, like an ice cube tray, and refrigerate or freeze it to hold the shape.
When you’re ready to set up your feeder, remove the suet from the mold and add it to a suet cage or container. Some people also use mesh or netting to hold the suet, but the holes need to be small so birds’ legs or beaks don’t get stuck.
Dinner Guests
The most common species frequenting suet feeders are woodpeckers, but you’ll likely see other birds like nuthatches and chickadees. Suet also might bring some species you otherwise wouldn’t see at your feeder, including rare ones.
Western and summer tanagers, Baltimore orioles and robins love suet. And migrating birds such as yellow-rumped or pine warblers might stop by in the spring, especially during cold snaps.
“They’re going to need high-energy foods,” Brady said. “They’re not as used to the colder weather as some of our resident birds.”
When summer arrives, suet is less important for birds but will still be sampled by various species. Minimize mess by keeping it cool and out of direct sunlight.
It’s important to remember that mammals like squirrels, raccoons and bears also love suet. If you’re offering suet into the spring, outside of hibernation season, you should bring the feeders inside overnight to avoid unwanted visitors.
Make Your Own Bird Suet
Materials
• 3½ cups wild bird seed
• 1 cup quick oats
• ½ cup cornmeal
• 1½ cups shortening (look for palm oil free options)
• ¾ cups nut butter (any kind)
• Ice cube tray
Directions
1. Mix the dry ingredients of bird seed, oats and cornmeal together and set aside.
2. Combine the shortening and nut butter in a separate bowl and melt. Stir until completely combined.
3. Pour the melted mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
4. Spoon mixture into the ice cube tray.
5. Freeze for 1-2 hours and place in your suet feeder!
Note: Not recommended for outdoor temperatures above 50 degrees.
Source: Audubon, inspired by “The Misfit Baker” blog.
Learn More
For other tips on winter bird feeding, check the DNR's Birding and Bird Conservation webpage.
