Having hummingbirds visit your apartment balcony can be a delightful experience. Hummingbirds are drawn to balconies that provide food sources like nectar feeders. With the right hummingbird feeder, you can attract these tiny energetic birds to your urban oasis.
What should I look for when choosing a hummingbird feeder for an apartment balcony?
There are a few key factors to consider when selecting a hummingbird feeder for an apartment balcony:
- Size – A smaller feeder, holding 5-12 ounces of nectar, is ideal for a balcony. Larger feeders will be too heavy when full and will provide more nectar than the local hummingbirds can drink.
- Ease of cleaning – Look for a feeder with a wide mouth or that comes apart easily to allow thorough cleaning. Feeders with bent or curved perches can be hard to clean.
- Leakproof – A leaking feeder will make a mess on your balcony. Seek a feeder advertised as leakproof or with sealed seams.
- Ant moats – Ants on your balcony can crawl into the feeder and contaminate the nectar. Choose a feeder with a built-in ant moat or one designed for adding a moat accessory.
- Durability – Outdoor conditions like rain and wind will weather a feeder over time. Look for durable, fade-resistant plastic or UV-resistant glass feeders.
Also consider an easy-to-hang design. Some feeders come with hanging cords, hooks, or attachment adapters to conveniently hang the feeder from your balcony railing or ceiling.
Where should I hang a hummingbird feeder on an apartment balcony?
Proper feeder placement will increase hummingbird traffic to your balcony:
- Hang the feeder near overhangs, walls, fences or trellises. Hummingbirds feel protected in these semi-sheltered locations.
- Place it 3-5 feet from the floor of the balcony. This allows easy access for the hummingbirds while keeping it safe from curious cats.
- Situate it close to natural food sources like flowering plants. Hummingbirds will spot it while visiting the nearby blossoms.
- Avoid direct sunlight which can cause the nectar to ferment faster. Opt for shade or filtered sunlight.
- Make sure it’s visible from inside your apartment so you can observe the visiting hummingbirds.
Consider using an adjustable hanging pole or arm with multiple hooks to allow repositioning of the feeder as needed.
How do I make nectar for a balcony hummingbird feeder?
While pre-made nectar is available, many people prefer to make their own using just water and sugar:
- Use a ratio of 1 part sugar (white granulated sugar is ideal) to 4 parts water. This approximates the natural nectar concentration that hummingbirds prefer.
- Boil the water first, then stir in the sugar until it is completely dissolved. This helps prevent fermentation.
- Let the mixture cool before filling your feeder. Do not fill while hot.
- Never use honey, artificial sweeteners, food coloring, or brown sugar in your nectar recipe.
- Store extra nectar in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. Discard old nectar to prevent mold.
Making your own nectar allows you to control the ingredients and reduce the chance of spoilage. Fresh nectar in the feeder will be the most attractive to hummingbirds.
How often should I clean a balcony hummingbird feeder?
Frequent cleaning is key to maintaining a healthy feeder:
- Empty and clean the feeder every 2-3 days during warm weather. Hummingbird nectar spoils rapidly in heat.
- Every 5-7 days during cooler temperatures. Nectar stays fresh longer when cool.
- More often if you observe debris, bugs, mold, or cloudiness. A dirty feeder can make birds sick.
- Use a bottle brush, long thin brush, or pipe cleaner to scrub the feeding ports and base. Hot water and mild soap (no detergent) can remove stubborn gunk.
- Rinse thoroughly before refilling. Allow all parts to air dry completely.
- Consider purchasing a backup feeder so one can be cleaned while the other is in use.
Following a routine cleaning schedule will provide hummingbirds with a healthy, appealing nectar source on your city balcony.
What are some good nectar feeder options for an apartment balcony?
Here are some top-rated hummingbird feeder options well-suited for apartment balconies:
Feeder | Features |
---|---|
Grateful Gnome – Urban Balcony Hummingbird Feeder |
|
Perky-Pet Urban Arch – Mini Hummingbird Feeder |
|
First Nature Hummingbird Flower Feeder |
|
Other small feeder options
- Aspects Mini – 6 ounce capacity
- Perky Pet Faceted Edgemere – 8 ounce capacity
- Perky Pet Purple Prism – 5-12 ounce adjustable capacity
- Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster – 4 ounce capacity
Where can I buy a good hummingbird feeder for an apartment balcony?
There are many options for purchasing hummingbird feeders for apartment balconies including:
- Online – Most feeders are available at popular online retailers like Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. Online shopping allows you to easily compare different feeders.
- Specialty bird and nature shops – Many independent stores catering to bird enthusiasts have an excellent selection of feeders. Staff are often knowledgeable about picking the right options.
- Hardware stores – Big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s have feeders in stock, especially during peak hummingbird season.
- Garden centers – Nurseries and garden stores sell feeders alongside flowering plants that attract hummingbirds.
- Big box stores – General retailers like Walmart, Target, and Fred Meyer have affordable standard feeder styles.
Check product details like capacity, materials, and hanging method to choose a feeder well-suited for an apartment setting. Consider ordering early in the season for the best selection.
What are some hummingbird feeding tips for apartment balconies?
Follow these tips to create an attractive hummingbird feeding environment on an urban apartment balcony:
- Plant nectar-producing flowers like fuchsias, bee balm, and trumpet vines in hanging baskets to supplement the feeder.
- Install a hummingbird feeder pole or hanging kit to allow versatility in positioning the feeders.
- Use multiple feeders spaced several feet apart to reduce dominant bird territoriality.
- Employ separate feeding stations for hummingbirds versus seed-eating birds to prevent crowding.
- Mist the feeder area periodically or install a dripping water fountain to provide drinking and bathing water.
- Keep a log to document and track your visiting hummingbirds from season to season.
With a quality feeder filled with fresh nectar solution and proper placement, you’ll be rewarded with the aerial antics of these energetic pollinators visiting your urban oasis.
Conclusion
Attracting hummingbirds to an apartment balcony is very achievable with a conveniently sized nectar feeder designed for balconies. Look for durable, easy-to-clean feeders with ant moats that will withstand outdoor conditions. Filling the feeder with homemade 1:4 sugar-water solution and situating it in a semi-sheltered spot provides an enticing lure. Pairing the feeder with flowering plants and water sources can help draw in more of these energetic, pollinating birds to your urban sanctuary.