For apartment dwellers, attracting birds to your balcony can seem like a tall order. However, with the right tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create the ideal bird habitat on your balcony in no time! This guide will cover everything from why birds like to visit apartment balconies to how to turn your balcony into a garden for birds.
By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge you need to attract many types of beautiful feathered friends to your own apartment balcony!
(1) Location, Location, Location
The first thing that you need is a bird feeder, but not just any feeder. You’ll want to put up a bird feeder that has both suet and seeds in it. This way, you’ll have a good chance of attracting finches, bluebirds, and cardinals.
On the next tip to attract birds to an apartment balcony, you must consider the location of your balcony.
Make sure that it’s close enough for some birds to be able to fly over and for others to be attracted by all the plants on your balcony.
(2) Make It Inviting
(A) Put out bird feeders in your yard or on your balcony. You can also make a DIY bird feeder with a coffee can and some peanut butter.
(B) Plant flowers or bushes that attract birds, such as honeysuckle, bougainvillea, and jasmine in your yard or on your bird-friendly balcony.
(C) Fill a wading pool with water and place it near your balcony so the birds can drink from it.
(D) If you live near water, set up a few old flower pots or paint cans at the edge of the water for them to bathe in; if not, put up an old sprinkler for them to play around in. Make sure the sprinkler is fully turned off when they’re done playing so they don’t get sprayed by it.
(E) Create small ponds where they can take baths or get a drink by adding rocks, plants and even goldfish! 6. Place suet feeders in your backyard or nearby trees to entice woodpeckers
(F) Add low-level lighting around your balcony. Provide nesting material like pine straw, grasses, shredded paper
(3) Consider the Seasons
How to attract birds to a balcony depends on the season, you can use a variety of bird feeders to attract them. In winter, suet feeders are popular as they provide fat-dense food. During summer months, seed and fruit feeders are ideal because they provide water-rich foods that are easy for birds to digest in hot weather.
(4) Provide the Basics
When it comes to how to attract birds to your apartment balcony, there are many ways you can attract birds to your apartment balcony, but the first step is identifying what kind of bird you’re looking for. One way of doing this is by noting where they hang out in the wild. For example, cardinals are known for their flamboyant plumage and can often be found in swamps or forests.
They might not be the best choice for your balcony!
A better option would be a robin, which is well-known for its ability to eat a lot of bugs in one sitting. You could also place a bird feeder outside so that it’s accessible to the other creatures who share your space (not just the birds).
You’ll want to make sure that it’s not too close to any plants or greenery so that you don’t accidentally kill them with any harmful chemicals.
(5) Water, Water Everywhere
If you’re searching for – how do I get birds to come to my balcony, then water is the most important element for attracting birds. Begin by filling a shallow dish with water. If you are lucky enough to have a balcony, it is best to place your dish on a railing or ledge so that birds can easily access the water.
You can also attach your dish securely under the railing if there isn’t enough room on top of it. In addition, set up a birdbath or fountain in the area as well, which will help attract more birds and keep them coming back throughout the day.
Birdbaths should be refilled every few days when it is hot outside because birds like fresh, clean water just like humans do! Lastly, make sure that your plants aren’t blocking any light from shining onto the dish —birds won’t be able to see their water if they’re not able to see their food!
(6) Get Creative with Containers
Here are some sub-tips on how to attract birds to apartment balcony by being creative with containers.
(A) Find a container with a lid.
(B) Drill 1-3 holes in the lid
(C) Fill the container with water, food and place it on your balcony.
(D) Place a platform or something for birds to land on near the container.
(E) Hang plant vines from your balcony railing so that they’re about 3-4 feet away from the container Use shiny objects (mirrors, coins) to attract more birds
Birds are beneficial to humans because they control pests like mosquitos. They also help produce seeds that feed other animals. Birds come in all shapes and sizes; some prefer trees while others like ground level activity And don’t forget fresh water!
There’s no need for pesticides when you have nature on your side!
(7) Bring in the Branches
Birds are drawn to branches, so try suspending some on your balcony. You can also hang them from trees or power lines in your neighbourhood. Bonus points if you have a bird feeder! It is more likely for the birds to flock to your bird friendly balcony and stay for longer periods of time if there is food present.
Find It: Whether it’s online or at a store near you, here’s how to attract birds:
Hang branches next to your windows. Be sure that they aren’t blocking light. Make sure they don’t obstruct views into other buildings either. The type of branch depends on the type of bird you want to see most often- conifers work well for winter migratory birds like cardinals, while oaks might be better suited for summer resident species such as robins and house sparrows.
Place suet cakes or suet feeders.
Add grapevine wreaths. Grapes produce grapeseed oil which has high levels of fatty acids. Fatty acids provide energy for migrating birds, which may stop during their travels.
Create sound barriers with mirrors.
(8) Go Natural
One of the best ways to attract birds to your balcony is by providing them with food. Get a bird feeder and fill it with seeds, nuts, and dried fruit. Place the feeder on the railing or windowsill where you want birds to congregate.
You can also try placing some orange slices in a bowl near your window for an easy way to attract hungry little ones.
(9) Be Patient
If you want the birds to come, be patient. It may take a few weeks for them to get used to the idea that you are providing food and water for them. The more often you visit your bird friendly balcony, the more quickly they will start gathering there.
Don’t forget that it’s easier for birds to recognize your balcony if they have seen it before and know it is a safe place. But no matter how long it takes or what methods you use, don’t give up! Keep trying and eventually, the birds will find their way back to you.
Encourage Neighbors to Be Bird-friendly: One good way to do this is by putting out seeds in areas where many people walk by daily.
(10) Enjoy the Show!
(A) Plant trees and shrubs with berries, seeds, or nuts that birds enjoy, such as: dogwood, serviceberry (Amelanchier), mulberry (Morus), redbud (Cercis), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia).
(B) Keep your balcony clear of empty containers and any other kind of clutter. This is how to attract birds to apartment balcony using smart work.
(C) Set up an open-top bird feeder in the winter for when you can’t provide food on the ground.
(D) Provide a water source in the form of a bowl, urn, or fountain with fresh water for year-round use.