By Christine A. Smyczynski
While many of you might know what a seed cake is, those of you who are new to backyard birding might not be familiar with this type of bird food.
A seed cake is a compressed “cake” made out of a variety of ingredients, most commonly a mixture of seeds, fruits, and/or nuts. Some varieties of seed cakes also have vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and flavors added.
The seed cake can be hung in a cake feeder or even an average suet feeder, if the cake is small enough; they can also be placed on a platform feeder. Using this type of bird feed, vs. using loose seeds, results in less mess in your yard. You’ll also have longer bird watching time, as it takes the birds longer to eat from a seed cake than loose seed. Not to be confused with a suet cake, these compact treats do not contain suet, therefore you may fore-go the sticky mess.
Feeding with seed cakes is especially helpful to birds in the winter, as the extra fat and calories helps keep them warm and provides an energy source when natural resources are scarce. Woodpeckers, chickadees, orioles, and nuthatches are especially attracted to this type of feed.
A favorite of songbirds, the Birdola Trail Mix Cake, is made from a blend of seeds, nuts, and fruits. If squirrels are a problem, look for a seed cake made with safflower seeds. Squirrels find them to taste bitter. Birdola’s line of junior sized seed cakes are perfectly sized to fit inside your suet feeder.
Most cake feeders are easy to load, squirrel resistant, and rust resistant. Styles range from the basic plain feeder to some that are more decorative. One basic feeder is the Heritage Farms Flip and Fill Suet Feeder ($3.99) which will hold one junior cake. The more decorative Heritage Farms Sunflower Suet Cage ($13.99) features a bright yellow sunflower shape. If you want to attract woodpeckers, Heath makes a Woodpecker Chalet Seed Cake Feeder ($24.99) that allows the birds to feed from either side. If you’re feeding with large cakes, the Birdola Cake Feeder and Birdola Window Cake Feeder are king.
To see the compete line of seed cakes and feeders, visit www.usabirdsupply.com or stop by the retail store at 11163 Main Street in Clarence.