Do suet feeders need a perch
Its easy to believe a suet feeder without a perch must be a mistake, when in fact the suet cage feeder is in itself, a whole perching area.
Suet feeders do NOT need a perch as the backyard birds seen to feed on a suet feeder are fully capable of doing so by clinging on to the cage, in any direction. Cage of a suet feeder can be perched on any side or direction; while there is an option to tie on a DIY 10 inch long twig through the cage with wire.
While a perch is commonly seen on a bird feeder for seeds or nectar in a hummingbird feeder; of all feeders available a suet cake or fat ball bird feeder doesn't need one.
Bird feeders that do need a perch would be because all but hummingbirds cannot hover, while others can't land on a bird feeder without assistance of a perch placement - situated near to where birds access bird food via port holes or in open trays.
Most birds who have always fed on cage suet feeders do so happily and continue to do so with no perch in place.
Reason being birds such as Chickadees, Woodpeckers, Sparrows and many more cling onto the cage surround, which is basically like perching.
Only its not a 45 degree angled length of wood acting as a perch, its a cage where birds have an opportunity to feed on either side, including in an upside down position like what Chickadees do.
Birds who find suet feeders which are hung up in trees or on a bracket do so to feed with no restrictions holding them back.
As you'd probably hang your suet cage bird feeder off a tree branch as the better location; suet feeder doesn't have to hang at all, as its possible to lay it on its side which would be off the ground to allow all birds to feed with ease.
NO perch on suet feeders
While a perch can be seen on a clear tube feeder for seeds or on a nectar-filled hummingbird feeder, no type of suet feeder requires a perch.
Suet feeders are a perch in themselves, thus to add a perch wouldn't be taken advantaged off due to wild birds ability to cling onto the metal cage.
Suet bird feeders therefore don't need a perch for the simple fact, every part of the cage surround can be used as such.
Often its possible to deter squirrels or nuisance larger birds in a squirrel proof suet feeder - thus a perch will only go towards assisting these animals you would otherwise want to avoid.
Birds who are attracted to a suet feeder of any kind can include Chickadees, the whole Woodpecker family to Nuthatches - whereas Starlings or other nuisance birds would be allowed to feed off the suet if there was a perch in place.
Absolutely can a perch be found situated near a suet feeder, which is much like having a suet cake holder mounted to a hopper bird feeder. Although to have a perch intended for use on any kind of suet feeder, would be unusual to say the least.
You can get a simple suet block feeder, fat ball feeder, and even an upside down suet feeder where birds cling on to the cage still - only they will be in an upside down position.
Cage itself allows all birds to cling
Rather than rely on what would be a double perch opposite each other, as seen on a seed tube feeder - a suet feeder has no place for a perch.
What with the suet feeder made in a durable plastic coated metal wire, it would first be be difficult to decide where the perch would be mounted - seeing as birds can cling onto a suet bird feeder in any direction possible.
And with that, if you can imagine a simple suet cake or fat ball feeder equipped with a perch... I think you'd agree a perch of any kind would be out of place.
Certainly would be, but more importantly it can assist larger birds who would otherwise struggle to cling onto a cage feeder.
Suet cage feeders are designed to trap all shapes of suet in them, while the suet is exposed to the elements.
Why that is because the cage itself must allow birds to cling onto it while birds poke their bills in to peck at the suet.
In a suet cake feeder, the more agile birds are able to cling on it in any direction, whereas if you allow all other birds to feed like this - the larger birds would perch on an adjacent perch - like a bracket or branch, as its in their instants to try.
Situate suet feeder on surface alternative
You know what, completely forget about a perch on a suet feeder, because for one thing you'd be hard pressed to find a suet bird feeder with a perch in the first place.
What is essentially the best way to hang a suet feeder is in-between other bird feeders as the suet cake or fat ball feeder can save you hanging room.
Now if this same suet feeder has what could be a full 10 inch perch, there will be no place to which it can hang without causing issues.
What you must do then to allow birds who wish to feed off suet but its beyond their natural ability to try - is to pull the hanging suet feeder down.
Alternative to a perch on a suet feeder would in fact be to place the suet cage feeder on a flat surface anywhere suitable in your yard. Personally I'd place the suet feeder on top of an open platform bird feeder.
Hang the suet feeder off a tree branch or a bird feeder pole bracket if you like, but remember a suet feeder doesn't have to hang at all.
Lay the suet feeder cage on its side or else stabilize it if its a rounded fat ball feeder that insists on rolling over.
Now all common backyard birds can come to your suet laid out on top of a platform bird feeder - with an option to lay it on its side on a porch railing or on garden furniture.
Perch can be mounted option
While I highly recommend you forget about a perch being on a suet feeder, as it really does look out of place with the suet feeder itself becoming a perch.
However there's certainly a possibility you can mount your own perch to a suet feeder.
Be it a made for suet cake or fat ball feeders as other types of suet feeders will need their own ways to affix a perch.
What you do is simply break off a mature, strong thick twig off a shrub or tree then thread it through the cage of either suet bird feeder. You'd then use a length of wire to tie the twig in place.
What you'll end up with is a full length twig in an horizontal position sticking out at 3 or so inches either side.
I will say a perch doesn't need to be mounted to a suet feeder but it can assist birds even if they don't need it. Mounted perch can also attract more, less agile birds to a suet feeder which can't be a bad thing - as you can avoid possible waste.
None of these birds need to be attracted to a suet feeder, let alone one with a perch.
Secure the twig on safely as you'd want to witness birds using the suet feeder as normal, while on occasions larger birds can be seen to take advantage of the DIY twig perch.
Conclusion
Suet feeders do not need a perch which is why you can never buy any kind of suet bird feeder with a perch in place.
Don't be too concerned about lack of a perch of a suet feeder when you believe it should be available as a perch is seen on many other types of bird feeders.
Truth is, the cage style suet feeder is a perch in itself, as wild birds are fully capable of clinging onto the cage - rather than relying on a standardized perch commonly found on a clear tube feeder for seeds or nectar.
Birds you wish to feed on your suet are the species that can without too much trouble.
With that it is still possible to feed suet secured away in its suet cake or fat ball feeder - by pulling down the suet feeder off its regular branch or bird feeder pole bracket - while placing the cage on its side to allow all birds to converge on it.
Birds who were happy to use what could of been an unstable suet feeder spinning around as birds fed, can feed with a little less trouble if its on a surface.
And with that, let's not forget now larger birds can take advantage of a natural perching area near to the suet feeder - or they're likely to perch on top of the feeder to eat.
If you have an issue with larger birds scaring off the friendly kind then forget it, plus it won't help you if exposing the suet to any predators or nuisance wildlife.
I can say a perch can be mounted to a suet feeder if you want to keep the suet hanging, thus you can fashion a DIY perch with a 10 inch or so twig threaded through the feeder.
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