Suet and suet dough: which birds eat it
Fat for insect eaters. Cakes, plugs or nuggets.
Which birds does suet and suet dough attract?
| Bird | Where it feeds | Best feeder |
|---|---|---|
| Woodpeckers | Hanging feeder | Tail-prop suet feeder |
| Nuthatches | Hanging feeder | Suet cage |
| Chickadees | Hanging feeder | Tube feeder |
| Wrens | Ground or tray | Suet cage |
| Titmice | Hanging feeder | Tube feeder |
| Bluebirds | Ground or tray | Mealworm feeder |
Suet and suet dough: bags from small to bulk
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
How do you feed suet and suet dough?
| Feeder | Suet cage, Tail-prop suet feeder |
|---|---|
| Squirrels | Squirrels and raccoons take it |
| Mess | None |
| Storage | Raw suet goes rancid above about 70 F; use no-melt dough in summer |
Feeders that suit suet and suet dough
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
Other seed and food types
Black oil sunflower · Striped sunflower · Sunflower hearts and chips · Safflower · Nyjer (thistle) · White proso millet · Cracked corn · Milo (sorghum) · Shelled peanuts · Peanuts in the shell · Mealworms · Fruit (oranges, apples, berries) · Grape jelly · Nectar (sugar water) · Mixed seed blends
Get the seed-by-bird cheat sheet
Which food brings which bird, the feeder it needs and how to store it, on one printable page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What birds eat suet and suet dough?
woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, wrens, titmice and bluebirds are the main takers. Rendered suet cakes are the standard; no-melt doughs blend fat with flour or cornmeal to hold shape in heat. Offering it in a suet cage gives the birds that want it easy access without spilling it for the ones that do not.
Do squirrels eat suet and suet dough?
Squirrels and raccoons take it. Put it on a smooth pole with a baffle 4 to 5 feet up, at least 10 feet from anything squirrels can jump from, or use a weight-activated feeder.
How should I store suet and suet dough?
Raw suet goes rancid above about 70 F; use no-melt dough in summer. Keep any seed in a sealed metal can in a cool, dry place so mice, insects and moisture cannot reach it. Throw out anything that smells musty, clumps or shows mould, since mouldy food can make birds sick.
What feeder is best for suet and suet dough?
suet cage and tail-prop suet feeder. The simplest feeder there is. Hang on a trunk or pole. Matching the feeder to the food matters: the wrong ports either jam or pour the food out onto the ground.
Is suet and suet dough messy?
None. Cakes, plugs or nuggets. If mess under the feeder is a concern, hulled foods such as sunflower hearts leave nothing behind, and a seed tray under the feeder catches most of what is dropped.