Attracting Woodpeckers and Other Suet Loving Birds

Many people offer suet in the hopes of attracting woodpeckers, however, a large number of other birds are also attracted to suet. This includes nuthatches, titmice, chickadees as well as larger birds such as blue jays. Suet is a great food to offer the birds, especially in the winter, as it has a high fat content and provides a quick source of energy to the birds.

Suet can be offered a variety of ways. Suet cages mounted on trees allow larger birds, as well as smaller ones, to feast on the suet. If the larger birds or squirrels are a problem, an up-side down suet feeder may help. This would allow only the birds that can cling up-side down with their feet to reach the suet. Suet can also be smeared into holes drilled in a log feeder or on a dead tree “planted” in your yard.

Suet can be purchased in convenient blocks, ready to be used in suet feeders. These blocks are great to buy in bulk as they are stored at room temperature and you are certain to have them on hand to refill feeders. However, some people prefer to make their own suet blocks. Have fun getting creative with the following recipes and enjoy watching the antics of the birds that visit your suet feeder.

Basic Suet Recipe
Melt one part of rendered lard over low heat. Remove from heat and add 1 part peanut butter and 6 parts cornmeal and/or oatmeal. Add seeds, nuts raisins, and other bird foods. Pour into a square container to about 1 1/2 inches thick. Store the containers in the freezer. These can be used in a suet cage feeder or an up-side down feeder.

Homemade Treat
Mix one part peanut butter, one part rendered lard, 3 parts cornmeal, one part flour and one part finely cracked corn to form a dough. If the mixture is still sticky, add more cornmeal or flour. Smear on pinecones, bark or use to fill holes on a log suet feeder or drilled into a dead tree.

No-Melt Suet Recipe
Melt 1 cup of rendered lard over low heat (do not use suet; the lard is processed and will not spoil, anything else will). Remove from heat and stir in the following ingredients:
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 cups quick cook oats
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup whole wheat or white flour
Pour into a square container to about 1 1/2 inches thick. Store the containers in the freezer. These can be used in a suet cage feeder or an up-side down feeder. This recipe will not melt in the summer heat.