Many bird enthusiasts put out suet for birds during the winter to provide them with extra calories and fat to help them survive the cold temperatures. However, as spring arrives and temperatures start to warm up, some people wonder if they should continue providing suet for birds or if the extra fat is no longer necessary. There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether or not to offer suet to birds during warmer weather.
What is Suet?
Suet is rendered beef or mutton fat that has been processed to form a solid, calorie and fat-dense brick or cake. It is typically provided in mesh bags or suet feeders specifically designed for birds. The fat provides birds with a concentrated source of energy and nutrients to help sustain them through harsh winter conditions when natural food sources may be scarce.
Some key benefits suet provides birds:
- High in calories and fat to generate energy and body heat
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- Does not freeze like liquid fats, remaining usable for birds in cold temperatures
- Provides a quick, convenient food source when natural insects and seeds are limited
Popular species that are attracted to suet feeders include:
- Woodpeckers
- Nuthatches
- Chickadees
- Titmouse
- Wrens
- Warblers
- Starlings
- Mockingbirds
- Jays
Do Birds Still Need Suet in Warm Weather?
When spring and summer arrive, the main rationale for feeding suet – providing birds with extra energy to survive cold winter conditions – is no longer a factor. However, there are some considerations that indicate continuing to offer suet during warmer weather can still be beneficial for birds:
Nutrition
While insects, seeds, fruits, and nectar become more abundant in spring and summer, suet remains an excellent source of supplemental fat and energy. Fat provides essential fatty acids and twice the calories per gram compared to carbohydrates or protein. Suet can help ensure birds get adequate nutrition for breeding, nesting, and raising young.
Fledglings
Baby birds have high energy needs as they grow and develop. Parent birds can raise healthier, stronger fledglings by incorporating suet into their diets and regurgitating it to feed nestlings. The fat and calories support development.
Molting
Feather molting and replacement occurs seasonally in most bird species. This process requires substantial energy, so supplemental suet can help provide the extra calories needed during molting periods.
Breeding
Courtship, mating, egg production, and rearing young are all very energy-intensive activities. Suet offers birds additional fat reserves to help sustain these reproductive processes. The minerals in suet also help ensure healthy eggshell development.
Migration
Some species migrate in early spring or late summer and require concentrated energy from fat to fuel their lengthy flights. Stopover birds also appreciate a quick, high-calorie suet snack to replenish their energy.
Insect Declines
Habitat loss and pesticide use have led to drops in insect populations in some areas. Suet can help supplement natural food when insect availability is reduced.
Heat Stress
Hot summer temperatures can cause heat stress for birds. Suet provides a cooling source of dietary fat. Increased metabolism from fat consumption generates moisture that helps birds stay cooler.
Food Security
Providing suet year-round helps ensure a consistent, dependable food source, giving birds added security. This is especially important during seasons like early spring when natural food remains scarce.
Preference
Many birds simply grow accustomed to and prefer the taste of suet. They will continue visiting suet feeders in warm weather if available.
Potential Downsides of Warm Weather Suet Use
While suet does provide benefits for birds in warmer months, there are also some potential downsides to consider:
Risk of Spoilage
Suet melts at temperatures above 70°F. In hot weather, it can more quickly become rancid and spoil. Rancid fats can cause digestive issues for birds who consume them. Proper suet feeding practices help minimize spoilage issues.
Diet Imbalance
Birds still need a varied diet including sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Over-reliance on suet as a food source could lead to nutritional deficiencies or imbalances. Suet is best offered moderately in combination with natural foods.
Dependency
Providing suet year-round could potentially create dependency where birds no longer forage sufficiently for natural foods. As long as suet is just part of their flexible diet, dependency issues are unlikely. But it is a consideration.
Unnatural Food Source
Some people view feeders as an artificial food source that generates unnatural congregations of birds prone to disease transmission. However, moderate suet feeding is generally not considered problematic.
Extra Work
Suet feeders can require more frequent cleaning, refilling, and monitoring during warm weather to prevent spoilage issues. Some people may prefer taking a break from suet feeding duties during summer.
Best Practices for Warm Weather Suet Feeding
For those who wish to continue offering suet to birds during spring and summer, here are some tips for maximizing benefits while minimizing risks:
- Place suet feeders in shaded areas to help keep suet cooler and deter melting.
- Consider using no-melt suet formulated for warmer temperatures.
- Use mesh bags rather than solid cakes which allow air circulation.
- Limit suet availability to around 1-2 cakes at a time.
- Check suet frequently and replace it at the first sign of spoilage.
- Clean feeders regularly to prevent mold and bacteria.
- Also provide seeds, nectar, fruits, and insects to ensure diet diversity.
- Remove suet if excessive heat waves occur or birds appear to lose interest.
- Avoid dyed suet which can stain feathers during warm weather.
Following these guidelines allows birds to safely benefit from suet in spring and summer without over-reliance.
The Bottom Line
Here is a quick summary of key points regarding suet use for birds in warm weather:
Potential Benefits
- Added nutrition for breeding, nesting, and molting needs
- Supplemental calories for fledglings and migrating birds
- Consistent food source amid variable natural food supplies
- Preferred, energy-dense food that birds actively seek out
Risks and Drawbacks
- Higher spoilage rate in heat
- Risk of diet imbalance or dependency
- Perceived as an unnatural food source
- Extra work maintaining/cleaning feeders
Recommendations
- Place in shaded areas and use no-melt formulas
- Limit quantities and frequently replace
- Ensure diet diversity with other food sources
- Discontinue if spoilage issues or disinterest occurs
So in moderation, with proper feeding practices, suet can still benefit birds and be offered as a supplemental food source during warmer months if desired. But it requires more vigilance to prevent risks. If the extra effort is a barrier, it’s also perfectly fine to discontinue suet until cooler weather returns. Offering a variety of natural food sources like fruit, seeds, and nectar can be an alternative way to support the needs of breeding and fledgling birds in spring and summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about providing suet for birds when temperatures warm up:
What temperature is too warm for suet?
Suet begins melting at around 70°F. In temperatures of 80°F and above, suet can become very soft and riskier for feeding birds. No-melt formulations help suet maintain solidity in warmth.
Should I take down my suet feeders in summer?
It’s up to personal preference. Suet does require more maintenance in summer but can still be offered safely with proper diligence. It’s fine to take down feeders and rely on natural foods during warmer months if desired.
How often should I replace suet in summer?
Check suet cakes at least every 2-3 days in hot weather. Remove any that show signs of spoilage like mold, moisture, dripping, or rancid smells. Replace sooner if needed based on outside temperatures and melt rate.
Can suet go bad in heat if birds don’t eat it fast enough?
Yes, warm temperatures will cause suet to degrade faster, especially in direct sunlight. Limit the amount put out at one time so it gets consumed before spoiling. Discard any old suet not eaten quickly.
Is it OK to mix seed with my suet cakes?
It’s best not to combine seed into suet during warmer months. This can accelerate spoilage. Keep any seed offerings in separate feeders.
What are the signs suet has spoiled?
Indications suet has gone bad include mold growth, unpleasant odors, visible moisture/dripping, texture changes, or discoloration. Discard any suet displaying these qualities.
Can spoiled suet make birds sick?
Consuming rancid fats can potentially cause minor intestinal upset. Serious illness is unlikely with small amounts. But spoiled suet should still always be discarded as a safety precaution.
Should I clean suet feeders more often in summer?
Yes, it’s advisable to clean suet feeders at least every 2-4 weeks in warm weather to prevent buildup of spoiled suet residue or growth of bacteria.
Which birds are most attracted to suet?
Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, wrens, and starlings are among species frequently seen at suet feeders. But many other birds will also utilize them.
Comparison of Suet Feeding in Cold vs. Warm Weather
| Factor | Cold Weather | Warm Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Bird energy needs | High – extra fat provides calories for warmth | Lower – but still beneficial for breeding and young |
| Natural food availability | Scarce – suet substitutes for limited insects and seeds | More abundant – but suet provides extra nutrition |
| Suet quality & spoilage | Low spoilage – suet remains solid in cold | Higher spoilage risk from heat and melting |
| Feeder maintenance | Less frequent – suet lasts longer | More vigilance needed – change suet frequently |
| Diet concerns | Lower – suet critical food source in winter | Higher – Requires other natural foods for balance |
Conclusion
While birds do not have the same winter survival needs during warmer months, offering suet can still provide meaningful nutrition and calories when birds are breeding, nesting, raising young, and molting. Transitioning to natural food sources is also perfectly fine, but suet remains a useful supplemental food if desired. The keys are using proper feeding techniques to minimize spoilage and ensuring suet does not become a sole diet component. With some extra care and diligence, suet can continue nurturing birds throughout the spring and summer. But each person must weigh the benefits and risks to determine if providing suet year-round fits with their preferences, level of commitment, and specific environment.
