Plain suet has always worked in my simple, un-caged feeder also. I've tried
nut suets and calcium suet in my caged feeder, but the House Sparrows go crazy
for it. So, in addition to plain, I use insect suet made in Oregon and
available from Wild Birds Unlimited. However, even in winter it's not as
popular as plain.

During nesting season, I use calcium in the caged feeder and put up with the
bigger birds for the chance to see my Flickers. Starlings don't seem to care
for my heavily treed backyard. Right now, the little birds that are my
favorites have eschewed all my suet for nice fresh insects and more open
habitat.

Patricia Lott
Seattle, WA

Christine Giannini wrote:

> Hi All,
> I seem to have a flock of starlings with several juveniles who've decided to
> make the suet and seeds in my yard their mainstay - ditto for a pair of
> pretty domineering crows. The starlings have cleaned up two cakes of suet
> in two days so that the chickadees I put them out for can hardly get a bite.
> Any ideas on types of suet hated by starlings, but loved by chickadees or
> other means to discourage the bullies?
>
> Also saw a blonde opossum eating the seed on the ground last night...are
> they blonde here or is this an albino?
>
> Christine
> Everett
> c.giannini2 at verizon.net
>
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