Attracting birds to your yard to enjoy and watch can be so rewarding, and you can give them so many treats. Suet could be one of the most important. Take a look at what suet is and why this food source should be a staple for the birds in your backyard.

First, what is suet?

Suet is essentially fat found around the organs in animals, especially beef. However, in the world of feeding wild birds, suet is a type of compressed food that is made into a cake, ball, or another compressed shape. You'll often hear these food sources referred to as suet cakes, and they do get their name from the fact that it is animal fat that holds the seeds and other ingredients in a more solid form.

The Benefits of Feeding Wild Birds Suet

Suet is a step above standard bird feed, as it contains different ingredients that can be valuable for birds. The rich combination of raw fat and specific ingredients helps to give birds even more nutritional value than they would normally get. Some of the biggest benefits of suet for birds include:

• Suet delivers a more sustainable level of energy because of higher calories and fat
• Suet helps the bird's body stay warm in the winter or colder months
• Suet can be a good source of antioxidants and vitamins when other food sources may be harder to find

A Look at Which Birds Prefer Which Types of Suet

With so many suet varieties available, you may need a little help to get the right kind of suet in your backyard to attract the type of birds you want to see more of in your area. Here is a look at some of the types of suet you'll find at our stores and which types of birds prefer these specific varieties.

Nutty Suet

Nutty suet often contains peanuts, pecans, or other nuts that certain birds really do need as part of their everyday diets. Some of the most noteworthy birds that are attracted to nuts include woodpeckers and jays.

Berry Suet

Many wild bird varieties eat berries in their natural environment. Therefore, a lot of bird species are especially attracted to berry suet. Robins, bluebirds, mockingbirds, and even waxwings will appreciate finding berry-laced suet.

Hot Pepper Suet

Hot pepper suet can be good for several different bird species, including cardinals and sparrows. While the hot pepper does not concern the birds, it does help keep other animals away like squirrels and raccoons.

Sunflower Suet

Nuthatches, juncos, grackles, grosbeaks, and thrashers are all fans of sunflower seeds. However, many wild birds enjoy these seeds beyond those listed. So, adding sunflower suet to your outdoor area has the potential to bring in a lot of bird varieties.

Give the Wild Birds in Your Area a Nutritious Treat

If you are looking to be kind to the local birds and give their little busy bodies the nutrition that they need, suet can be such a good option. Be sure to take a look at our collection of Pure Flight suet cakes at Feeders Pet Supply.

Sources

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-birds/feeding-birds/common-questions-suet/#