DIY winter treat for birds in your yard is easy and nourishing.

The article describes a suet-free "Marvel Meal," a high-fat mix of peanut butter, vegetable shortening, flour and cornmeal, that can be offered on pinecones, in log feeders, or cut for suet cages to feed winter birds.

Many birds remain in colder regions through winter when insects and other natural foods become scarce. The article presents a suet-free option called "Marvel Meal" as a high-fat winter food source for yard birds. The recipe combines peanut butter, vegetable shortening, flour and cornmeal, with optional seeds or oats for texture. It also contrasts suet from animal sources with vegetable-based fats and notes digestive differences. Key details: - The mix is described as equal parts creamy natural peanut butter, vegetable shortening and all-purpose flour, with three to four parts cornmeal; shelled sunflower seeds or quick oats are listed as optional additions. - The article reports the preparation can be messy and mentions using disposable gloves for handling. - Serving methods mentioned include smearing the mixture on pinecones or tree bark, pressing it into 1-inch holes in a narrow log to make a log feeder, or cooling and cutting it into slabs or cubes for a cage-style suet feeder. - Birds named as frequent visitors to this treat include woodpeckers, chickadees and wrens. - Unused mixture is reported to keep in a lidded container in the refrigerator or to be frozen in small portions. Summary: The mix is reported to provide a high-fat winter food source and to attract a variety of yard birds. Undetermined at this time.