Suet cake

Suet cakes or fat balls are nutritional supplements for wild birds used in bird feeders.[1] They commonly consist of sunflower seeds and wheat or oat flakes mixed with suet, pork fat, or coconut oil. Further blends may also contain nuts, fruits, mealworms and other insects.[2]

A blue tit feeding on a suet cake
A ring-shaped suet cake being formed in a mold, by adding melted fat to a mix of seeds

Next to balls, which are predominantly common in Northern and Central Europe, suet cakes may take various shapes such as rectangles, rings, or wheels.[2] Fat balls are often sold within a fine plastic net allowing their suspension, such as on branches or in bushes. The nets can however be a danger to other species, such as deer, who may find the balls and eat them whole.[3] Other forms of suet cakes can be placed within suspendable cages.[2]

References
  1. Minetor, Randi (2011). Backyard Birding: A Guide to Attracting And Identifying Birds. Guilford, CT, US: Globe Pequot Press. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-7627-7166-0.
  2. Campbell, Scott D. (1989). "Nontypical and Do-It-Yourself Food Recommendations". Easy-to-make Bird Feeders for Woodworkers. New York, US: Dover Publications. pp. 45-46. ISBN 978-0-486-25847-8. Suet cake -wikipedia.
  3. Häggström, Adreas (23 April 2018). "Pers varning – efter fyndet inuti djurets magsäck". www.expressen.se. Expressen. Retrieved 7 November 2019.


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