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]
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
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Campbell, Scott D. (1989). "Nontypical and Do-It-Yourself Food Recommendations". Easy-to-make Bird Feeders for Woodworkers. New York: Dover Publications. pp. 45–46. ISBN 978-0-486-25847-8.
Suet cake -wikipedia.
- ^ Häggström, Adreas (23 April 2018). "Pers varning – efter fyndet inuti djurets magsäck". www.expressen.se. Expressen. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
External links
edit- Suet cake recipes on the Baltimore Bird Club website