Suet Bird Feeders

After putting up the first feeder and wanting more, one of the next logical steps is to add suet to the menu! While woodpeckers do sometimes eat seed, putting out suet will help to attract them on a regular basis. It also helps to supply them with the nutrients they need year round. While some people only feed suet in the winter, we find that spring & summer is actually more enjoyable when the youngsters start following their parents to the feast! Our suet cakes we stock are rendered and will not get rancid even in the warm temperatures.

We carry everything from the basic suet cages that hinge open to re-fill to unique log suet feeders that mimic natural branches the woodpeckers are used to feeding from. Our favorite suet feeder is the tail-prop feeder that the woodpeckers love using because it allows them to feed while using their comfortable 3 point stance, where they use their tail to stabilize themselves. This is especially true for any of the larger sized woodpeckers, but even the smaller guys love these style suet feeders.

If you’re having trouble with bigger birds like Starlings & Blackbirds cleaning out your set there are a few options to slow them down and also keep them out completely. The upside down suet feeders are difficult for these bigger clumsy birds to feed on and most of the time they can only grab a few bites while they flap around, so we dub these “Starling Resistant” but not totally “Starling Proof”. We do have an option that keeps any bigger bird out and only allows smaller birds & smaller woodpeckers inside, but will keep those pesky bigger birds out completely. It does make it tougher for the larger Red-bellied Woodpeckers to feed from it but they have really long tongue and can usually get their head in there far enough to feed. These caged suet feeders also work well at keep the equally pesky squirrels from cleaning out your suet as well.

Recently the makers of the popular “Squirrel Buster” feeders came out with the first ever squirrel proof suet feeder that allows any sized woodpecker to feed from it and keep those furry critters out. It holds 2 suet cakes and the feeding section closes down with the weight of a squirrel on it, but not with any birds. We also stock hot pepper suet cakes that the squirrels, raccoons, and even black bears typically won’t bother going for, but the birds aren’t bothered by this spicy blend in the slightest bit.