Birds help our world in so many ways. They benefit our ecosystem by aiding in flower pollination and controlling insects. Spending time with birds can also help you relax and learn about nature. During our Texas winters, food sources can be scarce, making it difficult for birds to get the proper nutrition. Get your family together and learn how-to make homemade bird seed suet cakes and bird feeders!
CALLOWAY’S PREMIUM BIRD SEED
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have what you need to support our feathered friends. From bird baths to nectars, it is easy to attract birds to your landscape. This time of year, it is important that we provide them with quality nourishment like Calloway’s Premium Bird Seed.
Calloway’s Premium Bird Seed is chock full of the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that birds crave, and it is available in many different “flavors”. Each blend contains a variety of ingredients that will appeal to various types of birds.
CALLOWAY’S PREMIUM WILD BIRD BLEND
Calloway’s Premium Wild Bird Blend is a popular seed blend for Texas birds. It includes a mix of premium seeds like white proso millet, black oil sunflower, and red milo to create a nourishing treat for Cardinals, Finches, Sparrows, Chickadees, and more!
CALLOWAY’S PREMIUM HOT & SPICY BLEND
Keep squirrels away with Calloway’s Premium Hot & Spicy Blend. This delicious mix is spiced with capsaicin and is full of nutrients. Wild birds are unphased by the spicy taste, but squirrels despise it. This will help keep those critters away, making them less likely to snatch up your fresh bird seed. This shell-less blend attracts Cardinals, Woodpeckers, and more!
CALLOWAY’S PREMIUM FRUIT & NUT BLEND
Calloway’s Premium Fruit & Nut Blend is made of all seeds, fruit, and nuts! This wonderful mixture contains fruit and seeds like black oil sunflower, safflower, dried cranberries, peanut pickouts, and more! Birds will flock to your garden for this sweet and nutty treat like Robins, Cardinals, Chickadees, Sparrows, and more.
CALLOWAY’S PREMIUM SHELL FREE BLEND
Calloway’s Premium Shell Free Blend is shell free for less mess. Feed birds like Sparrows, Goldfinches, and Cardinals with seeds they love without having to clean-up of shells. With ingredients like sunflower chips, oat groats, and hulled millet, you can provide the best for our Texas birds.
For more information about which birds you can attract to your landscape with our different Calloway’s Premium Bird Seeds, view our Bird Seed Feeding Chart!
HOW-TO MAKE HOMEMADE SUET CAKES FOR BIRDS
Suet Cakes Supplies:
- 4 cups Calloway’s Premium Bird Seed Blend of your choosing
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter
- ½ lb. suet, lard, or shortening like Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening
- Parchment Paper
- Suet Feeder like More Birds® Double Suet Feeder
STEP ONE: MELT MIXTURE
First, melt the suet or lard and peanut butter together. With adult supervision, combine the peanut butter and the lard into a pot and place it on your stovetop. On low heat and stirring occasionally, allow the mixture to melt together.
STEP TWO: MIX WITH SEEDS
Once the peanut mixture is ready, remove from heat and set aside. In a large bowl, add 4 cups of Calloway’s Premium Bird Seed. Pour in the melted peanut butter and lard and mix well until everything is combined.
Prepare a shallow baking dish with parchment paper and spoon in the mixture. Place it in your freezer until everything has completely frozen.
STEP THREE: CUT YOUR SUET CAKES AND HANG OUTSIDE
When your mixture is completely frozen, carefully pull the parchment paper and lift the frozen blend out of the baking dish. This will make cutting super easy. With the help of an adult, cut it down into individual cakes. Make sure they are the correct size to fit into your suet feeder.
Set your homemade suet cakes inside the feeder and hang from your favorite tree. Try hanging your feeder near a window so you can watch our feathered friends enjoy a tasty meal.
HOW-TO MAKE A HOMEMADE BIRD FEEDER
Bird Feeder Supplies:
- Calloway’s Premium Bird Seed Blend of your choosing
- Peanut butter
- Leftover paper rolls
- String or twine
STEP ONE: SPREAD THE PEANUT BUTTER
First, remove any excess paper on each roll for a clean surface. Cover each roll with a thick layer of peanut butter.
STEP TWO: COVER THE ROLL IN SEEDS
Once the paper roll is completely covered with peanut butter, cover it in your choice of Calloway’s Premium Bird Seed. Pour your bird seed into a shallow baking dish and gently roll the peanut buttered surface until it is covered in bird seed.
STEP THREE: ADD STRING AND HANG IT UP
When your homemade bird feeder is complete, thread a piece of string or twine through the paper roll. If the weather happens to be on the warmer side, put your homemade feeder into the freezer to allow the peanut butter to set and avoid melting.
Hang it up where the birds can easily enjoy it.
BIRDWATCHING
Now that your bird feeders are full of nutritious snacks, sit back and let the bird watching begin. A bird feeder gives you the opportunity to observe nature and take a break from your daily routine. Feeding birds can become an educational activity for your family. You can learn about the different birds that visit your yard, their behaviors, and personalities throughout the year. Get the kids involved and start a bird watching journal together.
Enjoy a FREE Bird Watching Journal!
Print it out, take notes, draw pictures, and embrace the tranquility of nature!
SHOP FOR BIRD FEED WITH EASE
Make Calloway’s and Cornelius your birding headquarters! Shop our community stores or shop online for Curbside Pickup or Delivery!
Stop by today and explore our entire selection of birding supplies, bird seed, and so much more! Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
*ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanuts and other tree nuts.
