A Red-bellied Woodpecker and a European Starling jostle for the best position at a suet feeder.
A Red-bellied Woodpecker and a European Starling jostle for the best position at a suet feeder.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker and a European Starling jostle for the best position at a suet feeder. Photo: Annette Messina/Audubon Photography Awards
A Red-bellied Woodpecker and a European Starling jostle for the best position at a suet feeder. Photo: Annette Messina/Audubon Photography Awards

News

Suet Is a Superfood for Backyard Birds—Here's How to Offer This High-Energy Treat

Help woodpeckers, chickadees, and other insect-eating birds power through cold weather.

Thank you to Rita Pelczar with Better Homes and Gardens for reaching out to Audubon for this timely article and video feature! Suet is such a great way to give birds that extra energy they need to survive in the cold.

From the magazine:

While many birds are attracted to this high-energy food source, certain birds are regular visitors to suet feeders. "Woodpeckers are most frequently seen feeding on suet; downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, northern flickers, and if you're very lucky, pileated woodpeckers," says Gwendolyn Causer, environmental educator with Audubon Vermont. "You'll also attract insect-loving birds, such as black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches, and Carolina wrens," she adds.

Click here to read the full article and learn more. 

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