Suet is a high-energy food I’ve offered at my feeders for many years. I’ve enjoyed watching woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, and even Carolina Wrens cling to the various styles of feeders I’ve tried over the years.
It’s important to note not all suet is created equal. In my early years of backyard bird feeding, I thought I was saving a few bucks by purchasing suet from big box stores. As a result, I had minimal action at my feeder. Over the years, I learned inexpensive suet sold at these retailers contains a lot of filler, including milo. Milo is a seed not eaten by birds in eastern North America and is found in cheap seed and suet. As a result, for many years, I watched my suet hang with little activity, and I often ended up throwing it out, having wasted money rather than saving.
I recently acquired a new suet feeder from Urban Nature Store. This feeder is made from recycled plastic, so it will withstand exposure to the elements and be easy to clean. This feeder is incredibly well-made with a strong wire hanger and fits a standard-size suet cake. The top of the feeder slides up the wire, making it a piece of cake (pun intended) to add the suet. This feeder also features a tail prop that helps the woodpeckers balance, like when clinging to a tree.
The suet I am offering in this feeder is insect and nut suet also obtained from Urban Nature Store. I love this suet for several reasons. First, it’s made right here in Ontario by Mill Creek Seed Co. Second, it’s high-quality, made from real insects, chopped peanuts, and beef fat. I’ve been using the Mill Creek brand for years (after realizing my error that where I buy my suet matters) with great success.
Within minutes of hanging this feeder, a Red-breasted Nuthatch was already feeding at it. This happened so quickly that I hadn’t even returned to the house. Now I will admit I have several other feeders in my yard and an established population of birds coming to feed regularly. That said, I have not offered suet this winter as I have limited the number of feeders in preparation for an upcoming move.
On the first day I had this feeder out seven species had visited including:
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker (my favourite bird)
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Carolina Wren
This is the first time I’ve used a suet feeder with a tail prop, and it seems to make a huge difference, especially for the larger woodpeckers like the Hairy and Red-bellied. To say I’m impressed with this feeder would be an understatement, and my only regret is why I didn’t have this feeder years ago. I’m looking forward to more enjoyment watching the birds at this feeder and know I’ll have it for many years thanks to the high-quality construction.
If you are in the market for a suet feeder, I highly recommend trying this one; I’m sure glad I did.
Good birding,
Paul
Hi Paul. A couple of questions.
It might be too early for you to say yet, but how does this suet feeder hold up against squirrels?
And, what are your thoughts on homemade suet?
Thanks,
Kathy
Hi Kathy, I have this feeder on a pole with a squirrel baffle so no squirrels have accessed it yet. That said, the plastic is quite hard and the mesh holding the suet cake appears quite durable. I used to make my own suet and got great satisfaction out of watching the birds eat it, but over the years I have had much greater success with the Mill Creek brand. I’ve been using Mill Creek suet for about 7 years and now won’t use anything else as the birds love it !