The Best Suet Feeders for Winter Birds
Updated: Dec. 15, 2021Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
Winter will be upon us soon and your feathered friends need suet for energy. Check out the best suet feeder types to attract winter birds.
As winter approaches, many backyard birders will offer suet to help their birds survive the colder months. Suet is a great source of fat for the birds and it helps them quickly refuel after cold nights when they’ve used all their energy trying to stay warm. When you’re picking out the perfect suet feeder for your yard, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.
A basic square cage feeder will attract some birds. But there are better options that might help you convince more birds, especially woodpeckers, to stick around longer.
Recycled Double Cake Suet Feeder
I prefer to use a feeder with a long tail prop and the birds seem to prefer it as well. The tail prop allows larger woodpeckers to be more comfortable on the feeder. Pileated woodpeckers and red-bellied woodpeckers are quite large and can have trouble staying on small feeders. This 2-cake suet feeder from Amazon features an extra long tail prop.
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Cedar Double Suet Feeder
Designed specifically to give woodpeckers a place to prop their tails, with suet cakes on both sides, this cedar wood feeder makes for a stunning viewing station.
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Suet Buffet Bird Feeder
The shingle-patterned roof on the buffet feeder keeps up to four suet cakes dry, and the grid design allows clinging birds to easily grab a bite to eat.
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Upside-Down Feeder
If you have trouble with squirrels and bully birds on your suet feeders, consider an upside-down feeder. This type of feeder keeps less agile birds like starlings, grackles and blackbirds off while giving woodpeckers and other clinging birds, like nuthatches, access to the suet from below.
As an added deterrent, use hot pepper suet. The birds can’t taste it but the squirrels do not like it at all.
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Log Feeder
Consider a log feeder. Birds seem to love these and they are so easy to use. These logs come with holes drilled through them and you just push in suet plugs. The birds seem to love the natural feel of the log. You can also make these feeders yourself very easily!
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Window Suet Feeder
Try a window suet feeder for a close-up view of your favorite birds. The suet cage attaches firmly to the glass with strong suction cups.
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