Demystifying the Makeup of Bird Seed Cakes – Why Suet is a Key Ingredient

If you’ve done any bird feeding, you’ve likely seen those convenient seed cakes hung up in yards or offered at pet stores. They provide an easy, mess-free way to feed birds. But what are these cakes actually made of? A common crossword puzzle clue refers to the “makeup of many bird seed cakes.” The answer is suet, a key component of many commercial birdfeed blends.

What is Suet?

Suet is a hard, animal fat found around the loins and kidneys of cattle and sheep. It has a high melting point, which allows it to remain solid at room temperature This makes it useful for cooking, candle making, and of course, bird feeding

Suet provides an excellent high-energy food source for birds in winter when insects and fruits are scarce. It contains vital fats and calories to help wild birds survive cold temperatures and migrate long distances.

Benefits of Suet for Birds

• High in calories to generate body heat and energy
• Rich in fat soluble vitamins
• Provides quick energy boost
• Remains solid in winter weather
• Appealing taste attracts many birds
• Nutritious substitute for insects and fruit

No wonder suet is a preferred food for chickadees, woodpeckers, nuthatches, jays, wrens, and other backyard visitors

Suet as a Key Birdfeed Ingredient

Suet is a common binding agent used to make bird seed cakes or blocks, The manufacturing process may go something like this

• Suet is melted down and mixed with dried mealworms, bits of fruit, corn, nuts, or other goodies.

• Bird seed, like millet, sunflower, thistle, safflower etc. is stirred in.

• The molten mixture is poured into molds and allowed to harden back into a solid cake.

The suet acts as a sticky edible “glue” to hold the loose seeds and ingredients together while also contributing fat and nutrients. This creates an easily hung, cohesive birdfeed cake.

Benefits of Suet Birdfeed Cakes

There are a few advantages to buying or making suet-based birdseed cakes:

• Cakes minimize mess and waste from scattered seeds
• Allowing birds like clingers to perch and feed
• Offering calories from suet and carbs from the seeds
• Discouraging squirrels from stealing the feed
• Blocks can be crafted to suit birds’ seasonal needs

Suet cakes bring high-energy nutrition right to birds’ beaks in a compact package!

Going Beyond Suet Cakes

While suet cakes are convenient, it’s also helpful to offer loose bird seed, various feeders, and other natural food sources to attract diverse bird species with different beak types and nutritional needs.

Providing suet cakes along with:

• Loose seeds of sunflower, millet, thistle, safflower
• Fruit halves secured on skewers
• Nectar feeders for hummingbirds
• Nut feeders for chunky-billed birds
• Live mealworms for baby birds

…helps support a wider range of wild birds in your area. Think beyond basic cakes to create a “bird feeder restaurant” smorgasbord!

Summary

When wondering about the makeup of commercial birdseed cakes, the likely crossword puzzle answer is suet – the hardy animal fat used as a nutritious binder and energy source. While suet cakes are convenient, incorporating diverse feeders and food enables backyard birders to nourish a rich, lively bird community. Use suet as part of a varied birdfeeding strategy for maximum benefit to your wild feathered friends.