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How to Make a Suet Birdfeeder

© Mary M. Alward

Before I tell you how to make a suet birdfeeder, I'd like to let you know a bit about a beautiful bird that lives in Nova Scotia.

Black-eyed Junco

This species of bird is also know as the Slate-colored Junco and the Northern Junco. This is the bird that Anne Murray sings about in her song, Snowbird.

This little bird is a sub-species that lives in Nova Scotia. It is known that different species of Junco inter-breed. That means that they will mate with other species of Juncos.

These beautiful birds have a slate-grey back, wings, tail, chest and head. The belly is white, as are two feathers on each side of the tail. Slate-grey Juncos are easily spotted. When they are in flight, the tail flashes white. When they are perched, these white tail feathers are tucked under the grey ones. Once you've seen a Junco, there is no need for binoculars. You will know the species right away.

The Junco is approximately the same size as a song sparrow. Since it is a member of the sparrow family, this is not surprising. Juncos are a common sight in the backyards of Nova Scotia in winter. They love to feast at birdfeeders and suet balls rolled in peanut butter and bird seed. In the wild, they eat grass seeds that fall onto the snow and wild berries if they are available.

In mid-March, Juncos get very cranky and quarrelsome. They fight with each other all the time. This is because mating season is coming. The flocks of birds just don't see eye to eye. Then, they go their separate ways until mating begins. They build nests and get ready to lay their eggs and raise their young.

If you live in Nova Scotia, be sure to keep your eyes open for these beautiful creatures.

Suet Ball Birdfeeder

What you will need:

Suet (This can be bought at a meat counter or butcher shop. It is the fat off of beef.)

birdseed

bacon bits

crushed nuts (about 1/2 cup)

peanut butter (about 1/4 cup)

a mesh onion bag

What to do:

Have an adult help you melt the suet until it becomes liquid.

Cool until it is thick, yet still warm to the touch.

Mix in bacon bits, half of the nuts and some birdseed.

Form into a ball with your hands.

Roll in peanut butter.

Roll in the other half of the nuts mixed equal parts with birdseed.

Place the ball in the mesh onion bag.

Place in freezer overnight.

Hang from the branch of a tree where all birds have easy access. If you want to lure bluejays, cardinals and woodpeckers, be sure the bag hangs freely so the larger birds have room to get to it.

The copyright of the article How to Make a Suet Birdfeeder in Science for Kids is owned by Mary M. Alward. Permission to republish How to Make a Suet Birdfeeder in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.