Under the impression that suet is only for winter bird-feeding? That's a totally untrue myth.

Tufted Titmouse on suet

 

Some folks still think suet is for wintertime only. They believe the old myth that in the summer it might melt or be unappealing.  That’s true of basic suet (animal fat) from a butcher shop, popular in the early 1900s.  But packaged suet today is formulated to have a melting point of around 110-degrees. So it’s perfect for Jays, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Chickadees and lots of other north Texas birds, now and all summer long. (They’re hungry all year!)

If the temperature stays over 110,  you're likely to have bigger problems than what to feed the birds.

 

It takes a village....   The young, male Indigo Bunting alters its song to match what it hears from older Buntings in the same area. So small pockets of Indigo Buntings (often seen around here) will all sing very similar songs…with a very localized “flavor”. Youngsters can also tell, just by listening to the adults, if they’ve strayed too far from home.

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.