How to make your own bird suet

Pine Siskin on suet feeder. © given photography 2020

According to Audubon, feeding birds year-round is beneficial, but food can be particularly scarce during the colder months. To get all the nutrients they need, many bird species rely on supplemental foods from us such as nectar, birdseed, suet and fruit.

An easy way to help our feathered friends is to make your own bird suet and place it in your backyard. I’ve added a simple recipe below that I found on the Audubon website. The suet will attract chickadees, bush tits, woodpeckers, finches, nuthatches and many other wintering birds in your area. Try it. Not only will you be providing important nutrients to birds, you can get hours of bird watching entertainment right out your window. Have you ever seen a flock of bush tits on a suet feeder? Trust me, it’s an absolute delight.

Recipe for bird suet

• 1 1/2 cups shortening (look for palm oil free options)

• 3/4 cups nut butter (any kind)

• 3 1/2 cups wild bird seed

• 1 cup quick oats

• 1/2 cup corn meal

• Ice cube tray

Steps:

1. Mix the dry ingredients of bird seed, oats, and corn meal together and set aside.

2. Combine the shortening and nut butter in a separate bowl and melt. Stir until completely combined.

3. Pour the melted mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.

4. Spoon mixture into the ice cube tray. 

5. Freeze for one to two hours and place in your suet feeder!

Note: Not recommended for outdoor temperatures above 50 degrees .

For more information about feeding birds, visit Audubon

Happy birding!

P.S. This is a fun activity to do with kids!