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The potentially melty, messy nature of suet requires specially designed suet bird feeders that allow woodpeckers, wrens, chickadees, cardinals, and other birds to eat it without making a mess. For this guide, I tested 10 suet bird feeders, each designed with unique features for different bird-feeding needs.
Suet is a special type of bird food that provides high-calorie nutrition for a wide variety of backyard birds. This suet for birds is made of rendered animal fat blended with seeds and nuts and compressed into cakes, plugs, or pellets. As a result, suet bird feeders come in different types and sizes. Some hold a larger volume to reduce filling frequency; some limit access to certain birds or exclude squirrels, and some hold suet and other types of bird food.
Choosing the right suet bird feeder goes a long way toward keeping the birds fed, the squirrels at bay, and the mess under control. As a Master Naturalist and a lifelong backyard birder, I am always on the lookout for better bird feeders. My favorite is the Kettle Moraine Cedar Suet Feeder With Tail Prop thanks to its excellent design, durability, and bird-viewing ease. Check out the reviews ahead to learn details about our other top picks, how each model fared in hands-on testing, and why I consider them to be some of the best suet bird feeders on the market today.
- BEST OVERALL: Kettle Moraine Cedar Suet Feeder With Tail Prop
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Nature’s Way Tail-Prop Suet Bird Feeder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SUET CAKE FEEDER: C&S EZ Fill Suet Basket
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SUET PLUG FEEDER: Kettle Moraine Cedar Suet Plug Log Feeder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SUET NUGGET FEEDER: C&S Suet Nugget Feeder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SEED AND SUET FEEDER: Woodlink Going Green Premier Feeder With Suet Cages
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LARGE BIRDS: Birds Choice Two-Cake Suet Feeder With Tail Prop
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WITH TAIL PROP: Birds Choice Single-Cake Suet Feeder With Tail Prop
↓ Jump to Review - BEST UPSIDE-DOWN FEEDER: Songbird Essentials Small Upside-Down Suet Feeder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SQUIRREL-PROOF: Brome Squirrel Buster Suet Feeder
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Suet Bird Feeders
I have been feeding the wild birds in my yard for almost 20 years, so they already know where to come for a hearty meal. I often see downy and red-bellied woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, wrens, warblers, and cardinals feeding on suet. My hands-on testing centered on the daily aspects of owning and maintaining these suet bird feeders, including whether they would accommodate or enhance the established feeding patterns.
Using my existing bird-feeding station as a test area, I hung each of the suet feeders and monitored them closely for 1 week. In addition to observing bird traffic, I noted any difficulties with assembly, filling, or cleaning the feeder and how well the feeder protected the suet from rainfall and nuisance animals.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 10 |
| Hours/Weeks/Time spent testing | 20 |
| Tests performed | 6 |
| Price range | $4 to $100 |
Our Top Picks
Whether you wish to have suet feed for birds in the form of cakes, pellets, or plugs, this compilation of feeders fits the bill from a basic suet cage to several tail prop feeders and other specialized models designed to attract a variety of birds and exclude nuisance species. Keep reading to explore the individual product reviews, all of which include my observations from testing to help you choose from among these best suet bird feeders available today.
Best Overall
Kettle Moraine Cedar Suet Feeder With Tail Prop
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.2/5
Product Specs
- Type: Tail prop
- Capacity: 1 suet cake
- Dimensions: 13 inches tall by 8 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep
Pros
- Made of naturally rot-resistant and insect-resistant cedarwood
- Durable plastic-coated steel hanging cable resists weathering and chewing
- Tail prop helps smaller woodpeckers and other midsize birds feed more easily
- Ideal size for small to midsize birds like chickadees and downy woodpeckers
Cons
- Not squirrel proof
- Too small for pileated woodpeckers and other large suet eaters
Standard 5-inch square suet cakes come in a wide range of flavors that attract lots of birds, and a good feeder need not be complicated. This Kettle Moraine suet feeder is made with an insect- and decay-resistant northern white cedar frame and coated steel mesh suet compartment for a natural aesthetic and years of reliable bird feeding. The tail prop extension below the suet compartment helps birds balance while feeding.
This was my favorite feeder of all the models due to the simple, effective design and the ease of viewing birds as they fed on it. In addition to durable and lightweight cedar construction, the slightly longer tail prop and coated steel cable hang loop made it stand out from the other tail prop feeder designs. The cedar wood was lighter than recycled plastic and more durable than painted pinewood used in other feeders. The longer tail prop made it easier for red-bellied woodpeckers and other midsize birds to eat comfortably.
Birds can feed on either side of this—and most other—suet feeders. Mounting with viewing in mind is the key. I hung the feeder on a shepherd’s hook with the narrow edge oriented toward my window. It allowed excellent profile visibility of birds on either side of the feeder while some of the other options had blind spots.
This suet feeder is not squirrel proof, and a hungry raccoon could drag it away without additional protection. It also allows easy feeding access for potentially undesirable birds like starlings. For most users, however, the benefits outweigh those minor drawbacks.
Get the Kettle Moraine suet bird feeder at Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
Nature’s Way Tail-Prop Suet Bird Feeder
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Tail prop
- Capacity: 1 suet cake
- Dimensions: 11.75 inches tall by 8 inches wide by 3 inches deep
Pros
- Durable steel hanging loop and lift-off lid make it easy to fill and maintain
- Lateral kerfs cut into the tail prop help birds maintain a grip when feeding lower on the cake
- Value price that saves room in the budget for additional birding supplies
- Ideal size for small to midsize birds like chickadees and downy woodpeckers
Cons
- Not squirrel proof
- Shorter tail prop than similar models, makes feeding more difficult for larger birds
Much like the Best Overall pick, the Nature’s Way suet feeder is a lightweight wooden tail prop-style single-cake suet feeder. It features a coated steel cable hanger and kerfs carved into the tail prop to provide secure footing for birds. The suet chamber is faced with coated steel mesh for durability and easy feeding access.
This feeder checks all the boxes in terms of easy setup and maintenance and clear visibility of feeding birds. Plus, the price is one of the lowest among the test group. However, it became apparent early in my testing that this feeder is best for smaller birds. The shorter tail prop extension worked well for downy woodpeckers, but larger red-bellied woodpeckers didn’t have quite enough room. The bigger birds shifted around as they fed, moving their tails back and forth and shaking the whole feeder.
The manufacturer states that the feeder is “made with” cedar and that it is weather protected with water-based stain. I could not verify that the entire feeder is cedar, but it did not have the hallmark cedar scent like other cedar feeders. The top is stained, but the suet chamber and tail prop are not. Because of these issues, I scored the feeder a point lower on durability.
Get the Nature’s Way suet bird feeder at Amazon.
Best Suet Cake Feeder
C&S EZ Fill Suet Basket
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.7/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Cage
- Capacity: 1 suet cake
- Dimensions: 5 inches tall by 5 inches wide by 2 inches deep
Pros
- Offers the most budget-friendly way to offer suet cakes
- Coated metal construction resists weathering and damage caused by nuisance animals
- All-mesh construction offers the best view of birds as they feed
Cons
- Must take extra precautions to prevent animals from opening the cage
- Closure latch and mounting chain are difficult to operate with gloved hands
Feeding suet doesn’t get more flexible or affordable than this wire basket feeder. The C&S EZ Fill suet basket is a durable coated steel mesh cage that you can easily hang from any hook or branch. Used alone or in combination with other bird feeders, it holds one 5-inch-square suet cake to provide high-energy food for small and midsize birds.
Although this feeder does not include a tail prop and does not protect the suet from the elements, birds of many different species and sizes gravitated to it. The open mesh cage design is exposed on all sides for feeding, which can be positive or negative, depending on your goals. I watched as all of my usual suet-eaters casually devoured the suet cakes while perched on the top, sides, and bottom of the cage. Small birds held on more securely than larger birds, but even the red-bellied woodpeckers regularly attended the feast.
While I liked the option of simply tossing this feeder in the dishwasher for periodic cleaning, one issue made it somewhat more difficult to manage than the tail prop designs. While tail prop feeders use a sliding top closure with no latch, this model has a metal latch that is complicated to operate with gloved hands—a challenge for winter filling. Over time, the latch bent slightly so that it alone was not enough to hold the lid in a closed position. I threaded the mounting chain through the lid to help secure it.
Get the C&S EZ Fill suet bird feeder at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Chewy.
Best Suet Plug Feeder
Kettle Moraine Cedar Suet Plug Log Feeder
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.7/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Suet plug feeder
- Capacity: 4 plug ports
- Dimensions: 3 inches in diameter by 16 inches tall
Pros
- Durable cedar log is naturally resistant to rot and insects
- Longer height is helpful for larger birds like pileated woodpeckers
- Excellent option for feeding trunk-clinging birds like nuthatches and woodpeckers
Cons
- Difficult to insert plugs—the ports do not accept entire plugs
- Does not protect the suet from nuisance animals like squirrels, raccoons, and opossums
While traditional suet feeders can become crowded with all kinds of birds, a suet log feeder offers a specialized feeding opportunity for clinging birds. The Kettle Moraine suet plug log feeder features four suet ports for selectively feeding clingers, such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and titmice.
Filling this feeder was the most complicated (messy) of the group as it required pressing chunks of soft suet into the holes. I purchased 1-inch-diameter suet plugs to make the process easier but still ended up with quite a bit of no-melt suet crumbs on the table afterward.
The feeder worked as advertised, attracting clingers and excluding perchers. Unfortunately, squirrels are excellent clingers. They were easily able to dig the suet out of the feeding holes for a fatty feast of their own. In addition to following best practices for locating the feeder out of reach, I recommend protecting this feeder with a squirrel baffle.
I especially liked the look and fit of this feeder in my feeding station. Made of cedar, it looks natural and should last a long time. The height of the feeder provides a built-in tail prop for birds of all sizes, including pileated woodpeckers.
Get the Kettle Moraine suet bird feeder at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Suet Nugget Feeder
C&S Suet Nugget Feeder
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.3/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Nugget cage
- Capacity: 24 ounces
- Dimensions: 3 inches in diameter by 11.25 inches tall
Pros
- Durable metal mesh construction is completely weatherproof and resists animal damage
- Mesh material is easy to clean and offers limitless access for clinging birds
- Nuggets attract a wider variety of birds, including cardinals and finches
- One of the least expensive ways to feed suet nuggets while offering some resistance to animals
Cons
- Not squirrel proof, must take additional precautions
- Birds struggle to eat the pieces left at the bottom of the feeder once nuggets run low
Suet nuggets can be an excellent supplement for seed eaters like finches. While you can use suet nuggets in a variety of ways, including fly-through and table-style feeders, I like to add a layer of wire mesh security to discourage messiness. This coated steel mesh C&S suet nugget feeder is a great option, and it holds up to 24 ounces of suet pellets.
Shaped like a tube seed feeder with three removable perches, this model attracted a lot of house finches, chickadees, and titmice. While the short straight perches did not work for cardinals, the fully accessible mesh sides did work well for clinging birds. The feeder was fairly easy to fill, although I had to completely remove the top instead of being able to slide it aside.
One of the lowest-price feeders of the group, this option was one of the most versatile as well. The tube shape and medium mesh also functioned well for feeding peanuts, in-hull sunflower seeds, and dried mealworms.
Get the C&S suet nugget bird feeder at Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Seed and Suet Feeder
Woodlink Going Green Premier Feeder With Suet Cages
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.3/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Type: Combination
- Capacity: 2 suet cakes, 4 pounds of seeds
- Dimensions: 10 inches tall by 13.25 inches wide by 10.75 inches deep
Pros
- Combination-style bird feeder supports more birds in less space
- Dual suet feeder and large hopper reduce filling frequency
- Attracted more birds than any other feeder in this guide
- Made of durable rot-resistant and ultraviolet (UV)-resistant recycled plastic material
Cons
- Not squirrel proof, owners must take additional precautions
- Birds feeding on the back side of the hopper are hidden from view
When space is limited, a combination seed-and-suet bird feeder makes a convenient all-in-one bird feeding station. The Woodlink Going Green Premier suet feeder includes a large seed hopper with perches for feeding along both sides as well as mesh suet cake holders at either end. It’s an excellent resource for feeding a diverse backyard flock in a small space.
This feeder is made of recycled plastic lumber with acrylic panes on the hopper sides and coated steel mesh suet baskets. The front-loading baskets are hinged at the bottom with a friction latch on top for easy operation, even with gloved hands. The roof features a piano-style hinge along the ridge, allowing one half of the roof to swing upward to open the seed hopper.
The time-tested seed hopper design is a perennial favorite for its rustic aesthetic and ease of use. This model holds about 5.5 pounds of mixed birdseed. In my yard, that was enough for a full week with about 10 percent still in the hopper at the end of the week. The two suet cakes were on pace to last a month.
Designed to feed a mixed flock of wild birds, this feeder was a success. All of my regular visitors seemed to feel at home eating from it, including cardinals, the larger red-bellied woodpeckers, and bluejays.
My only concern with the suet baskets was the potential for intruders. The top latches worked fine but didn’t require much effort to open. The trial week was uneventful, but it could be a matter of time before a curious squirrel or raccoon pops it open, and I have to devise a more secure closure.
Get the Woodlink suet bird feeder at Amazon, Wayfair, Target, or Wild Bird Store Online.
Best for Large Birds
Birds Choice Two-Cake Suet Feeder With Tail Prop
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.7/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Tail prop
- Capacity: 2 suet cakes
- Dimensions: 20.5 inches tall by 7.75 inches wide by 3 inches deep
Pros
- Large tail prop and food capacity support the largest suet-eating birds
- Tail prop offers a balance point and makes it easier for birds to eat lower on the feeder
- Durable recycled plastic material is waterproof and UV-resistant for extended durability
Cons
- Heavy weight of the full feeder requires a strong branch, hook, or other support
- One of the more expensive tail prop feeders
It sounds simple, but tall birds need taller feeders with more food. At 7.75 inches wide and nearly 21 inches tall, the generous proportions of the Birds Choice suet feeder accommodate both large and small birds. Larger birds like pileated woodpeckers will appreciate this feeder’s double-height suet compartment and extra-long tail prop.
Made with UV-resistant recycled plastic lumber and coated metal mesh, the feeder is built for the rigors of long-term outdoor exposure and active feeding. Although pileated woodpeckers are a rarity at my feeding station, the red-bellied woodpeckers found themselves in a comfortable feeding position, with room to spare.
The drawback of such a large feeder is its weight and length. It could be too long for a standard shepherd’s hook. A tree branch might be the best mounting location, but the weight of the full feeder will require a strong one.
Get the Birds Choice 2-cake suet bird feeder at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best with Tail Prop
Birds Choice Single-Cake Suet Feeder With Tail Prop
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.2/5
Product Specs
- Type: Tail prop
- Capacity: 1 suet cake
- Dimensions: 12 inches tall by 7.75 inches wide by 3 inches deep
Pros
- Excellent choice for small to midsize birds like chickadees and downy woodpeckers
- Tail prop helps birds feed more efficiently, especially toward the base of the suet cake
- Durable recycled plastic material is weatherproof and UV-resistant
Cons
- Not squirrel proof; must take additional precautions
A quality tail prop suet feeder has to offer the structural support that larger birds need for easy feeding, and it should also be durable for years of service. At an inch shorter than the Best Overall pick, this Birds Choice suet feeder worked about as well for small and midsize birds. It also boasts extremely durable recycled plastic construction.
I gave the Kettle Moraine cedar tail prop feeder the edge for the Best Overall pick due to the slightly longer prop and because I preferred the cedar construction over plastic. However, I have no doubt this feeder will outlast the wooden one. The sliding top made it easy to load, even with gloved hands, and all but the largest birds could rest easy while pecking the suet.
Like the Best Overall pick, this feeder is also not squirrel proof and doesn’t prevent birds that some may consider undesirable from feeding. Also, the design of the hang loop may leave it susceptible to being pulled away by raccoons. Additional protection will be necessary.
Get the Birds Choice single-cake suet bird feeder at Amazon.
Best Upside-Down Feeder
Songbird Essentials Small Upside-Down Suet Feeder
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.7/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Type: Upside down
- Capacity: 1 suet cake
- Dimensions: 3 inches tall by 8 inches wide by 7.25 inches deep
Pros
- Discourages larger birds like starlings, grackles, and other nonclinging birds
- Durable recycled plastic material is weatherproof and UV-resistant
- Under-roof installation shelters the suet and the feeding birds from rain and snow
Cons
- Seems to attract fewer suet feeders overall; may take more time for birds to adapt
- Not squirrel proof; must take additional precautions
Some birds, such as starlings, grackles, and even larger birds like crows, can become a nuisance by gobbling up all the suet and chasing other birds away. If you want to save the suet primarily for smaller clinging birds, then this Songbird Essentials upside-down suet feeder can help. The feeder holds one 5-inch-square suet cake securely beneath the recycled plastic roof, where only clinging birds can easily eat it.
Having a suet feeder upside down is an effective solution for eliminating most perching birds, although some of the more persistent starlings made valiant attempts. Agile and inquisitive chickadees, wrens, and nuthatches quickly adapted and enjoyed the bounty. A couple of problems for bird-watchers, though, are that fewer birds can feed due to one-sided access, and the shaded feeding area makes it a bit more difficult to see the birds. For those reasons, this feeder might be best for a feeding station that you can observe from a closer distance. It would also be beneficial to hang it somewhat higher than other feeders so you have a better view from below.
Get the Songbird Essentials suet bird feeder at Amazon or Ace Hardware.
Best Squirrel-Proof
Brome Squirrel Buster Suet Feeder
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.2/5
Product Specs
- Type: Other
- Capacity: 2 suet cakes
- Dimensions: 17.25 inches tall by 8.5 inches wide by 4.5 inches deep
Pros
- The only confirmed squirrel-proof suet feeder in this guide
- Durable coated-steel construction resists weather and animal damage
- Large suet capacity minimizes the time and effort spent refilling
- Adjustable exclusion mechanism works for birds of any size
Cons
- Large feeder obscures birds feeding on the opposite side from the viewer
- Much more expensive than other suet bird feeders
Squirrels may or may not be intelligent, but they are inquisitive and unquestionably persistent. If there is a way they can get to the suet, they will find it in time. The Brome Squirrel Buster suet feeder physically eliminates this possibility by closing the doors when squirrels are present.
This feeder holds two 5-inch suet cakes, one facing the front and the other facing the back. The weight-sensitive superstructure allows lightweight birds to feed uninterrupted, but the weight of a squirrel pulls down a cover plate to block the food.
Where squirrels are most active and destructive, this feeder could be an excellent—but expensive—solution. My squirrel population is not so abusive to bird feeders that I could justify the cost, but I did witness the closure on several occasions. It worked as advertised.
I recommend this feeder for desperate birders with the worst squirrel problems. The feeder itself is quite large and heavy. It worked with a standard shepherd’s hook, but the bottom was so close to the ground that squirrels could jump up and hang on. It would be better if mounted higher. Also, the large size of the feeder made it more difficult to observe both sides of the feeder at the same time, so birds on the back side were hidden.
Get the Brome suet bird feeder at Amazon, Nature Niche, or Birdertown.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Suet Bird Feeder
Suet feeders for birds come in a variety of types, shapes, and sizes. Before buying based on product reviews, be sure to match the feeder to your requirements. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind as you research the best suet bird feeders.
Materials
Most suet feeders will include an area of plastic or vinyl-coated metal mesh that allows birds to peck through and eat the suet. The size of the mesh openings may range from as small as about ¼ inch up to about ½ inch.
The rest of the feeder may be made of wood, plastic, or coated metal. Coated metal feeders are generally limited to squirrel-proof designs or the most basic suet baskets. Wood and plastic are used interchangeably for other design types, and each has benefits and drawbacks.
Plastics are very durable, but the best UV-protected types are often quite heavy in comparison to wood. They will last a long time but require stronger support. Cedar is the best wood for bird feeders because it is lightweight and highly resistant to insects and decay. Wood feeders can be hung on lightweight support systems but will break down faster in the elements.
Cake Capacity
Suet cake feeders generally hold one or two standard 5-inch-square suet cakes. Single-cake feeders that birds can access from both sides at the same time, like the tail prop feeders earlier in this guide, are consumed the fastest. To extend the time between filling, consider installing two of these feeders or a double-cake feeder that places one suet cake above the other. Single-cake feeders that only provide feeding access on one side, like the upside-down feeder, are consumed more slowly.
Additional Features
Other considerations include the closure system, squirrel protections, and compatibility with other feeders in the feeding station. Because birds eat more suet in cold weather, it’s nice to have a closure system that you can easily manipulate with gloved hands. The lift-off tops on tail prop feeders are the easiest to manipulate but prove less secure than the metal latches on some of the cage or basket-style suet feeders.
Users can incorporate squirrel protections into the feeder design or add them later. The best squirrel-proof feeder designs include a physical barrier, such as a closure system or a mesh grid that small birds can enter but squirrels cannot climb through.
When adding a suet feeder to an existing bird-feeding station, you may wish to incorporate similar styling or colors. In some instances, it may be necessary to choose a smaller suet feeder—or replace an existing seed feeder with a combination seed and suet feeder—due to space limitations.
FAQs
Now that you’ve had a chance to review the top picks and testing observations, you may have a few lingering questions. If you are still not quite sure which is the best suet bird feeder for your backyard birds, this FAQ section may help.
As with other bird feeders, users will want to place a suet feeder high enough to prevent predators from attacking the birds, but low enough for convenient filling and maintenance. For that reason, make sure to place the bottom of the feeder 5 to 6 feet above the ground.
Suet attracts a wide variety of birds and can be especially beneficial during cold weather. Offer suet in a specially designed suet feeder that allows birds to eat it efficiently without causing a mess.
Bird suet is made of rendered animal fat and other ingredients, such as seeds, nuts, grains, and dried fruits. The sticky animal fat binds the ingredients and provides valuable calories.
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industries. For more than 20 years, he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now, he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor living goods.