Suet feeders are a great way to attract birds to your backyard in the winter when food sources are scarce. Suet is a high energy food that provides the fat and calories birds need to survive cold temperatures. Many bird lovers hang suet feeders from tree branches or poles to offer this nutritious food to birds. But some people wonder – do suet feeders need a tail prop? Let’s explore the answer.
What is a tail prop?
A tail prop is a device attached to the bottom of a suet feeder, perpendicular to the feeder. It sticks out behind the feeder, creating a small ledge or platform for birds to perch on while accessing the suet in the feeder. The tail prop provides a place for birds to balance, giving them stability and leverage to cling to the feeder while pecking at the suet. This can help birds stay in place longer while feeding.
Why use a tail prop?
There are a few key reasons a tail prop can be beneficial for a suet feeder:
- Allows larger birds like woodpeckers to balance – Large birds like downy woodpeckers and red-bellied woodpeckers really appreciate a tail prop. Their size and weight makes balancing tricky, so the extra stability of a tail prop allows them to cling and feed more easily.
- Provides leverage for drilling into suet – Woodpeckers drill into suet with their strong beaks. A tail prop gives them leverage to really dig in and chip away at the suet.
- Accommodates acrobatic feeding positions – Birds like nuthatches feed upside down or sideways quite often. A tail prop lets them maneuver into acrobatic positions more confidently while clinging to the feeder.
- Keeps smaller birds steady – Even smaller birds like chickadees and titmice can benefit from the stability of a tail prop while they work to break off pieces of suet.
- Allows for longer feeding sessions – The added balance and leverage of a tail prop enables birds to hang onto the feeder comfortably for longer periods of time, allowing them to consume more suet in a single visit.
Do all suet feeders need a tail prop?
While tail props provide excellent benefits, they are not an absolute necessity for every suet feeder. Here are some things to consider when deciding if a tail prop is recommended:
- Feeder design – Some feeder designs incorporate built-in perches or ridges that function similar to a tail prop and provide the needed balance. These styles will not need an additional tail prop accessory.
- Predominant bird species – If you notice mostly small birds like chickadees and nuthatches at your suet, a tail prop isn’t quite as crucial. But if your suet is a hot spot for woodpeckers, a tail prop would be very helpful.
- Mounting location – Suet feeders mounted on stable, vertical poles or posts are often less prone to swinging and swaying, reducing the need for a tail prop.
- Budget – Tail props are inexpensive, usually $2-$5. If your budget is very tight, you could potentially get by without one.
So in summary, while tail props are not mandatory, they offer worthwhile benefits for many birds feeding on suet. Knowing the bird species frequenting your yard and your feeder set-up will help determine if adding a tail prop is recommended.
Selecting an effective tail prop
If you decide to add a tail prop to your suet feeder, here are some tips for selecting an effective option:
- Material – Metal and rigid plastic tail props hold their shape better than flexible materials. Avoid props with a lot of bend or sag.
- Length – 5-6 inches is ideal. Long enough for balance, but not overly cumbersome.
- Width – 1.5-3 inches provides ample space for birds to perch.
- Texture – Wire frames or mesh covers give bird’s feet a grip. Avoid super slick surfaces.
- Angle –Aim for 90 degrees between feeder and prop. This gives the flattest, most supportive positioning.
There are many tail prop options on the market meeting these criteria. You can also make your own functional tail prop quite easily if you are handy.
Installing a tail prop
Adding a tail prop to an existing suet feeder is a very simple process. Just follow these basic steps:
- Purchase a tail prop designed for your feeder model and size. Make sure it is compatible.
- Use pliers or a wrench to gently loosen the nut on the bolt holding the feeder in place enough so the bolt can slide through the hole in the tail prop. Do not detach the feeder.
- Slide the bolt through the tail prop’s hole/ring so the prop is held in place.
- Re-tighten the nut carefully to secure everything in place. The tail prop should stand out straight behind the feeder.
- Periodically check and tighten the nut as needed over time.
And that’s all there is to it! The tail prop will now provide extra stability for the birds visiting your suet feeder.
Positioning the tail prop
To maximize the usefulness of the tail prop, aim to position it:
- Perpendicular to the feeder so it juts straight back
- Completely below the suet cage, out of the way
- Level with the suet block’s midline for centered balance
- Far enough back to avoid contact between birds on the prop and the feeder
- So birds can easily grasp the feeder and prop simultaneously
Adjust as needed so the prop is situated in the most natural, unobtrusive spot for birds to utilize.
Maintenance tips
Tail props are relatively maintenance-free, but here are a few tips for keeping them functional:
- Check periodically for damage or warping, and replace if necessary
- Use a wire brush to remove any suet buildup
- Watch for loosening at the bolt and re-tighten if wiggling occurs
- Consider removing the prop in summer when no suet is out
- Store indoors when feeder is not in use to prevent weathering
The verdict on tail props
At the end of the day, tail props are a very affordable and simple way to enhance your birds’ experience at the suet feeder. While not always a mandatory addition, a tail prop can make balancing, clinging, and drilling into the suet much easier for birds. They accommodate those who prefer to feed upside down or sideways too. Consider the needs of the birds frequenting your yard and your feeder setup to determine if a tail prop could benefit the suet feeding experience.
Example data table
Here is an example data table comparing different tail prop materials:
| Material | Durability | Rigidity | Texture | Weather resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic | Medium | Medium | Smooth | Good |
| Metal | High | High | Smooth | Excellent |
| Wood | Medium | Medium | Rough | Poor |
This table helps visualize some of the pros and cons of different tail prop materials. Metal and rigid plastic tend to be preferable over materials like wood or rope that have more flex and degrade faster outdoors.
Conclusion
Tail props are an inexpensive accessory that can provide worthwhile benefits for birds feeding on suet. They help large woodpeckers and other birds balance, cling and maneuver on the feeder while drilling into suet. Not every suet feeder requires a tail prop, but they are commonly recommended to improve the feeding experience – especially for woodpeckers. Selecting the right design and material for your feeder, and positioning the prop properly, will ensure birds can easily utilize the extra stability while enjoying suet at your backyard buffet.
