Key Takeaways:
- Suet cakes are a high-energy food source that attracts woodpeckers and other wild birds.
- Homemade suet cakes can be customized with various ingredients to suit different bird species.
- Proper placement and maintenance of suet feeders are crucial for attracting and keeping woodpeckers in your yard.
Introduction to Suet Cakes
Suet cakes are a popular choice for bird enthusiasts looking to attract woodpeckers to their yards. These nutrient-rich blocks of fat, often mixed with seeds, nuts, and fruits, provide a high-energy food source that woodpeckers find irresistible. Unlike traditional birdseed, suet cakes offer a concentrated source of calories, which is especially beneficial during the colder months when natural food sources are scarce.
Woodpeckers, with their strong beaks and unique feeding habits, are particularly drawn to suet. These birds use their beaks to peck at tree bark in search of insects, and the texture of suet cakes mimics this natural foraging behavior. By offering suet cakes, you can create an inviting environment for woodpeckers, allowing you to observe these fascinating birds up close.
Benefits of Suet Cakes for Woodpeckers
Suet cakes provide numerous benefits for woodpeckers. Firstly, they are an excellent source of energy. Woodpeckers are active birds that require a lot of calories to sustain their high metabolism. Suet, being rich in fat, offers a concentrated energy source that helps woodpeckers maintain their energy levels, especially during the winter months.
Secondly, suet cakes can be customized to include a variety of ingredients that cater to the dietary preferences of different woodpecker species. For example, adding nuts, dried fruits, and mealworms to the suet mix can attract a wider range of woodpeckers. This customization allows bird enthusiasts to create a diverse and appealing food source that meets the nutritional needs of various woodpecker species.
Types of Suet Cakes
There are several types of suet cakes available, each designed to attract different bird species. Traditional suet cakes are made from rendered animal fat mixed with seeds, nuts, and grains. These basic suet cakes are a favorite among woodpeckers and other wild birds.
For those looking to attract specific woodpecker species, there are specialty suet cakes available. These may include additional ingredients such as insects, berries, and even peanut butter. These specialty suet cakes cater to the unique dietary preferences of different woodpecker species, making them more effective at attracting a diverse range of birds.
Making Homemade Suet Cakes
Making homemade suet cakes is a fun and rewarding activity that allows you to customize the ingredients to suit the preferences of the woodpeckers in your area. To make a basic suet cake, you will need rendered animal fat, such as beef or pork fat, and a variety of seeds, nuts, and dried fruits.
Start by melting the fat in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted, mix in the seeds, nuts, and dried fruits until well combined. Pour the mixture into a mold or container and allow it to cool and harden. Once solid, the suet cake can be placed in a suet feeder and hung in your yard to attract woodpeckers.
Best Ingredients for Suet Cakes
The best ingredients for suet cakes are those that provide a high-energy food source and cater to the dietary preferences of woodpeckers. Seeds such as sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn are popular choices. Nuts, including peanuts and almonds, add an extra boost of protein and fat.
Dried fruits, such as raisins, cranberries, and currants, provide natural sugars and additional nutrients. Mealworms and other insects can also be added to the suet mix to attract insect-eating woodpeckers. By combining these ingredients, you can create a nutritious and appealing suet cake that will attract a variety of woodpecker species to your yard.
Proper Placement of Suet Feeders
The placement of suet feeders is crucial for attracting woodpeckers. Woodpeckers prefer feeding in areas that mimic their natural habitat, such as near trees or wooded areas. Hanging suet feeders from tree branches or mounting them on poles near trees can make them more attractive to woodpeckers.
It's also important to place suet feeders in a location that is safe from predators. Woodpeckers are vulnerable to attacks from cats and other predators, so placing feeders in a location that is difficult for predators to access can help keep the birds safe. Additionally, placing feeders in a shaded area can help prevent the suet from melting in warm weather.
Maintaining Suet Feeders
Maintaining suet feeders is essential for keeping them attractive to woodpeckers and other birds. Regularly cleaning the feeders helps prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria, which can be harmful to birds. Use a mild soap and water solution to clean the feeders, and rinse them thoroughly before refilling with fresh suet.
It's also important to monitor the condition of the suet cakes. In warm weather, suet can become soft and rancid, making it less appealing to birds. During the summer months, consider using no-melt suet cakes, which are specially formulated to withstand higher temperatures. Regularly replacing old or spoiled suet with fresh cakes ensures that the feeders remain attractive to woodpeckers.
Attracting Different Woodpecker Species
Different woodpecker species have varying dietary preferences, and customizing suet cakes can help attract a diverse range of woodpeckers to your yard. For example, Downy Woodpeckers are particularly fond of suet mixed with sunflower seeds and peanuts, while Red-bellied Woodpeckers prefer suet cakes that include fruits and insects.
Pileated Woodpeckers, the largest woodpecker species in North America, are attracted to suet cakes that contain a mix of nuts, fruits, and mealworms. By experimenting with different ingredients and observing which woodpecker species visit your feeders, you can create suet cakes that cater to the preferences of the woodpeckers in your area.
Seasonal Considerations for Suet Cakes
The needs of woodpeckers can vary with the seasons, and adjusting the ingredients and placement of suet cakes can help attract woodpeckers year-round. During the winter months, high-fat suet cakes provide essential energy to help woodpeckers survive the cold. Adding extra nuts and seeds to the suet mix can provide additional calories.
In the spring and summer, woodpeckers may be more attracted to suet cakes that include insects and fruits, which provide the protein and nutrients needed for breeding and raising young. Adjusting the placement of suet feeders to shaded areas during the summer can help prevent the suet from melting and becoming rancid.
Observing and Enjoying Woodpeckers
One of the greatest rewards of offering suet cakes is the opportunity to observe and enjoy woodpeckers up close. These fascinating birds are known for their distinctive drumming behavior and striking plumage. By providing a reliable food source, you can attract woodpeckers to your yard and enjoy watching their interactions and behaviors.
Setting up a comfortable viewing area near your suet feeders allows you to observe woodpeckers without disturbing them. Binoculars and a camera can help you get a closer look and capture memorable moments. Keeping a journal of the different woodpecker species that visit your feeders can also be a fun and educational activity.
5 of the Top Suet Brands for Woodpeckers Available on Amazon
We hope you find your next awesome thing from the list below! Each product was independently selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to fiddle with, but all opinions in this article are our own. Oh, and FYI — AnnesAnalytics may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Enjoy finding your next awesome thing.
Why We Love This
The Kaytee Woodpecker Seed Cake is a top choice for wild bird enthusiasts, offering premium ingredients that birds love in a convenient, ready-to-feed cake. This seed cake is specifically designed to attract woodpeckers with its unique blend of high-quality ingredients.
Ingredients Birds Love
Each Kaytee Woodpecker Seed Cake features a mix of:
- Sunflower Seeds
- Peanuts
- Safflower Seeds
- Pecans
- Pine Nuts
These ingredients are not only favored by woodpeckers but are also popular with chickadees and nuthatches. The seed cakes last longer than loose seed, reducing mess and waste.
Easy and Convenient Feeding
Kaytee Seed Cakes are designed to slip easily into cake feeders, making wild bird feeding simple and hassle-free. For optimal results, consider offering multiple types of wild bird food and placing feeders at different heights to minimize conflicts between bird species.
Essential Tips for Bird Feeding
- Provide Clean, Fresh Water: Always ensure there is plenty of clean, fresh water available for the birds.
- Strategic Feeder Placement: Place feeders at varying heights to cater to different bird species and reduce territorial disputes.
Enhance your wild bird feeding experience with the Kaytee Woodpecker Seed Cake, and enjoy watching a variety of birds flock to your feeders.
Encouraging Review
"My Hairy and Downy woodpeckers are on these constantly and seem to love them. Probably one of my favorite Kaytee products. They hold up well in shipping and don't get broken up or lose much seed in transit." Amazon Review by DW
Why We Love This
Woodpecker Treat is crafted by melting the highest quality beef fat and blending it with a variety of seeds and nuts. This mixture is then poured into trays to harden, ensuring a nutritious and appealing treat for wild birds. Our special processes at C&S allow suet to be fed year-round, resulting in successful summer suet feeding for our consumers.
Why Choose C&S Wild Bird Suet?
- High-Quality Ingredients: Only the best beef fat, seeds, and nuts are used.
- Year-Round Feeding: Special processes ensure suet can be fed in all seasons.
- Consumer Success: Proven success in summer suet feeding.
Feeding Wild Birds with Suet
Traditionally, wild bird suet is fed using vinyl-coated wire cages. These cages are both inexpensive and durable, making them a popular choice among bird enthusiasts. The wire dimensions can vary based on the level of resistance needed against starlings or squirrels.
Suet Cage Options
- Capacity: Cages can hold from one to several C&S Suet Cakes or Bricks.
- Placement: Hang cages from branches, tree trunks, or hooks.
- Designs: Available in various designs combining wire with wood or plastic.
Encouraging Review
"I didn't really care for the taste, but the birds can't get enough. I don't know why but they prefer it to all the other 'flavors' I've tried. (No, I didn't really taste it) ;)." Amazon Review by KC Rave
Heath Woodpecker Suet Cake, 5.2in, 10oz, 12 Pack
Blend Attracts Woodpeckers & Songbirds, No Melt
Why We Love This
Heath Outdoor Products DD-24 Woodpecker Suet Cake is a specially blended suet cake designed to attract woodpeckers and other colorful songbirds to your backyard. This suet cake is formulated to withstand various weather conditions, ensuring it remains intact without melting.
Key Features
- Attracts Woodpeckers and Songbirds: Specially blended to attract woodpeckers and a variety of colorful songbirds.
- All-Season Durability: Formulated to withstand different weather conditions, ensuring no melt.
- Generous Size: Each suet cake measures 5.2 x 1.2 x 5.2 inches and weighs 10 ounces.
- Bulk Pack: Comes in a pack of 12, providing a long-lasting supply for bird-watching enthusiasts.
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.2 x 5.2 inches per suet cake
- Weight: 10 ounces per suet cake
- Quantity: 12 suet cakes per pack
- Color: Blue
Why Choose Heath Outdoor Products DD-24 Woodpecker Suet Cake?
Enhance your backyard bird-watching experience with the Heath Outdoor Products DD-24 Woodpecker Suet Cake. Its specially formulated blend attracts a variety of colorful songbirds, providing endless enjoyment for bird enthusiasts. The all-season, no-melt formula ensures that the suet cakes remain intact, regardless of the weather conditions.
Encouraging Review
"We have lots of woodpecker visitors to our suburban acreage: Hairy & Downy, Red-bellied, and Northern Flickers. And they love this stuff. The quality of the product and the reasonable price make this my go-to suet for all-year feeding." Amazon Review by M. Edwards
Why We Love This
Our Blue Seal suet cakes are perfect for providing the extra energy birds need for reproduction in the spring and to stay warm during the winter months. These suet cakes offer great nutrition for a variety of beloved birds, including Woodpeckers, Cardinals, Siskins, Sparrows, Juncos, Blue Jays, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Titmice, and the Northern Flicker.
All The Nutrition… None Of The Mess
We proudly offer suet cakes in a superior melt-resistant formula with a variety of flavors that your feathered friends are sure to love! Our easy-to-open, no-mess packaging eliminates greasy handling, making bird feeding a breeze. Enjoy more birds and less mess with our innovative suet cakes.
Universal Appeal
Our no-melt woodpecker suet cake formula is perfect for year-round feeding. Designed to work with all suet feeders, our suet cakes ensure that all your birds will be well-fed and well-loved, regardless of the season or the style of your bird feeder.
Preserving Nature
Our easy-open wrapper uses 80% less packaging than traditional suet products in trays. Plus, our packaging is 100% recyclable. Proudly made in the USA by bird-lovers for bird-lovers, we are committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Birds For Days
Expect to see a variety of birds at your suet feeder, including Woodpeckers, Cardinals, Siskins, Sparrows, Juncos, Blue Jays, Nuthatches, Chickadees, and Titmice. Please note that suet placement, environment, and geographic location will impact the variety of birds attracted. What will your bird suet cakes bring into your yard?
Reputation Matters
The name “Blue Seal” was adopted by the H.K. Webster Company in 1910 to identify its high-quality feeds for poultry and livestock. We understand that a brand is only as good as its reputation, which is why we are committed to delivering the highest quality every time. If, for any reason, you are not completely satisfied with our products, please reach out so we can make it right.
Encouraging Review
"It took them a day to realize it was there, but now we have multiple visits a day from red bellied and downy woodpeckers. Many of the songbirds like it too. They are still working on the same cake a week later and there is about 1/3 of a cake left in the feeder." Amazon Review by James Baker
Woodpecker Suet Cake 10 Pack for Wild Birds
Premium Quality, Melt-Resistant Formula
Why We Love This
Product Features:
- Approximate Size: 4.5” x 4.5” x 1”
- Premium Quality: Melt-Resistant Formula
- Convenient Packaging: Easy-Open, No Mess, 100% Recyclable
Attracts a Variety of Birds:
- Tree-Clinging Birds
- Perching Birds
- Species such as Chickadees, Cardinals, Siskins, Nuthatches, Titmice, Sparrows, Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, and Juncos
Ingredients:
- Rendered Beef Suet
- Cracked Corn
- Millet
- Pecan Pieces
- Processed Grain By-Products
Made in the USA
Enhance your backyard birdwatching experience with our premium 10.5 oz. Woodpecker Suet Cakes. Specially formulated to attract a wide range of tree-clinging and perching birds, these suet cakes are a must-have for any bird enthusiast. The melt-resistant formula ensures durability, while the easy-open, no mess packaging makes feeding your feathered friends a breeze. Plus, our 100% recyclable packaging supports eco-friendly practices. Order now and enjoy the beauty of nature right in your backyard!
Encouraging Review
"I catch all sorts of birds on the suet feeders, but these suet cakes do a good job of attracting woodpeckers and grackles in my yard." Amazon Review by setho
Summary
Suet cakes are an excellent way to attract woodpeckers to your yard, providing them with a high-energy food source that supports their active lifestyle. By customizing the ingredients and properly placing and maintaining suet feeders, you can create an inviting environment for a variety of woodpecker species. Observing these fascinating birds up close can be a rewarding experience for bird enthusiasts of all ages.
FAQ
Q1: What is the best time of year to offer suet cakes to woodpeckers?
A1: Suet cakes can be offered year-round, but they are especially beneficial during the winter months when natural food sources are scarce. High-fat suet cakes provide essential energy to help woodpeckers survive the cold. In the spring and summer, suet cakes that include insects and fruits can provide the protein and nutrients needed for breeding and raising young.
Q2: How can I prevent suet from melting in warm weather?
A2: To prevent suet from melting in warm weather, consider using no-melt suet cakes, which are specially formulated to withstand higher temperatures. Additionally, placing suet feeders in shaded areas can help keep the suet cool and prevent it from becoming soft and rancid.
Q3: What ingredients should I avoid when making suet cakes?
A3: When making suet cakes, avoid using ingredients that can be harmful to birds, such as chocolate, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners. It's also best to avoid using bread or other low-nutrient fillers, as they do not provide the necessary energy and nutrients that woodpeckers need. Stick to high-energy ingredients like seeds, nuts, dried fruits, and insects to create a nutritious and appealing suet cake.