Installing a balcony bird feeder is a great way to bring a variety of different birds to your balcony space, while at the same time improving the overall health of our little flying friends!
To help you find the most suitable option, we present the best bird feeders for apartment balconies, along with how to make a DIY balcony bird feeder, and other crucial information to consider before getting started with bird feeding.
Can I put a bird feeder on my apartment balcony?
You can use a bird feeder on your apartment balcony if your landlord or complex allows them. Also, you must take into consideration the safety of the birds. Make sure you choose a location where there is no electrical wire or air conditioning.
A bird feeder on a balcony can be placed in several ways. For example, a good way to place your feeder on your apartment balcony is to hang it over the railing. You can also attach a bird feeder pole if you have one.
If you don’t want to invest in a manufactured bird feeder, you can also add bird food to a spare dish or add it to a bowl.
Yet another helpful option is to use a deck-mounted bird bath that hangs over the balcony railing. Glistening water attracts birds, and a fountain feature can attract more birds.
Regardless of how you choose to hang your bird feeding station, be sure to choose one that is big and colorful.
Just below is a short but inspirational video on setting up a balcony bird feeder!
What kind of birdfeeder should I get for my apartment balcony?
In case you live in an apartment with a small balcony, it would probably be ideal if you purchase a feeder that will be placed on the balcony railing. This will help attract many species of birds to your apartment balcony.
However, there are a lot of different kinds of bird feeders on the market. Some are better than others. You need to choose the right one according to your budget, preference, and your balcony.
Did you know, some birdfeeders are even equipped with a speaker that will play recordings!?
If you want to attract a variety of species, then you should also use a mixed seed mixture.
Finding the best bird feeder for apartment balcony
Whether you live in a small apartment or a larger one, you can attract birds to your balcony by installing a bird feeder. However, it is important to keep in mind that you don’t want to attract the wrong type of birds.
In case you have a problem with wild birds, here’s a guide on how you can keep them away.
In the sections just below, we list the best bird feeders for apartment balconies that we have found and that are priced reasonably. These will attract the right birds to your balcony space.
1. Bird feeder for balcony railing
A bird feeder for balcony railings is an excellent choice if you want to attract birds in no time. These feeders are designed to fit on balconies with horizontal railings and a clamp mechanism to hold them in place.
The Deck Rail Bird Feeder (link to Amazon) is a bestseller due to its low price, solid quality, and ease of use. This bird feeder takes one or two minutes to set up and you can serve bird seeds and water at the same time, as it has two separate trays made of thick steel.
2. Bird feeders for high rise apartments
If you live in a high-rise apartment, your feeder may not be seen by all of the birds. You may also need to grow colorful plants that attract different types of birds in order to attract them to your balcony.
Good bird feeders for high-rise apartments can attract a variety of species, from finches to sparrows and orioles. You can even encourage hummingbirds to visit your feeder if you provide them with the right treats.
A hanging bird feeder (link to Amazon) of metal is the best choice for high-rise apartments as they are durable, water-proof, easy to fill and clean, and they attract all kinds of birds (notably smaller ones).
Having a feeder in a high-rise building will give you an interesting experience, and you won’t have to worry about squirrels eating the food!
However, do make sure that your balcony bird feeder is securely attached to your balcony and that it hangs inside the balcony, without any risk of falling down.
3. Window bird feeder on your balcony
A window bird feeder (Amazon link) is an excellent way to attract birds to your home. A simple window feeder sticks right to your window, making it easy to move, fill, and clean.
They’re most commonly placed in your living room or kitchen windows, and they’re a great learning tool for new gardeners. You can of course also place these on the windows where your balcony is located. They can be installed and fully functional in a few minutes.
Clean the window bird feeder every other day or so. You can keep it clean by using a damp cloth to wipe the outside regularly. If you want to attract more birds to your window feeder, you can put colorful food in it.
4. Balcony hummingbird feeder
You can attract hummingbirds to your balcony by installing a hummingbird feeder. First of all, you should choose a type that’s suitable for your balcony’s location. The feeder should be placed in a sunny spot where hummingbirds can easily access it.
The feeder can be placed close to the balcony’s window, as hummingbirds tend to favor spots that are dry. Also, you can use red ribbons or flowers to make it more visible to the hummer.
The Ruby Hummingbird Feeder (Amazon link) is a popular choice for balconies and decks alike. It is colored red (hummingbirds’ favorite color) and can be filled with hummingbird nectar. It can feed four birds at once, which is important when it comes to hummingbirds.
Finally, while the feeder should preferably be placed near a visible flowering shrub or plant, you can also use a bird recording to attract hummingbirds. It is also important to keep the feeder clean and fresh!
5. DIY balcony bird feeder
You can also create a beautiful bird feeder yourself that will attract the attention of local birds. By making one of these, you can feed your favorite songbirds from your balcony or rooftop, letting them fly in and out of your balcony all day long.
This is, believe it or not, one of the best bird feeders for apartment balcony options you have to choose from! You could also create a beautiful gift for your friends, family, and neighbors.
Watch the short video below and learn how to make a DIY balcony bird feeder with just a couple of simple tools. The birds will love to eat from your new DIY feeder and will appreciate your effort!
How to hang bird feeder on balcony
The first step is to choose the right place for the bird feeding station. The location should preferably be sunny and in a place where it attracts lots of birds.
The location of the balcony feeder can also depend on the species of birds you want to attract. Hummingbirds, for example, will love flowering plants, such as lilies and marigolds. You can also add water features, such as waterfall fountains.
Choosing a balcony rail feeder is probably the easiest way to go. It is perfect for balconies with horizontal rails. It has a clamp mechanism that will hold the feeder against the rail securely. Some balcony rail feeders also have a security cable to prevent them from falling.
This option takes just a minute or so to hang – just follow the attached instructions or go back to the DIY video above for visual help.
Another option for hanging a balcony bird feeder is by using a suction cup feeder. However, you need to take care not to damage the structure of the balcony or house when hanging a suction-cup feeder. Freestanding poles are also a practical choice when installing bird feeders.
How to attract birds to feeder on a balcony
You may not be aware of this, but attracting birds to your balcony is surprisingly easy. Just adding some bird food to your feeder will usually do the trick.
There are also plenty of plants you can use. Sunflowers and other small flowers will attract a variety of birds and make a beautiful decoration.
How can I keep birds water in my balcony?
While a shallow dish of water is enough for many birds, others like a deep container or even a dripping source. Some homeowners use bird baths on their balconies. Others also use de-icers to keep the water from freezing.
It is important not to forget about the water feature, as birds need clean water to drink. You can use a waterfall fountain bird bath (Amazon link) to provide fresh water for your visitors. This will definitely help attract birds to your balcony space.
Installing a deck bird feeder
Regardless of your experience with installing bird feeders, you can use these tips to install the best bird feeder for apartment balcony or deck. Here are some simple steps to help you get started:
- First, you need to know where you want to place the bird feeder. A deck or a balcony is an excellent place to put a feeder, as it provides the perfect vantage point to watch your backyard wildlife.
- Once you have decided where you’re going to place your bird feeder, you need to mount it. There are a few different types of hangers that can be used to attach the feeder to your railing. The first type is a railing clamp mount, followed by a screw or baluster mount.
- Alternatively, you can buy a deck hanger and use it to hang your feeder from the railing. It’s also possible to attach a bird feeder to freestanding hooks or screws if you don’t feel like putting up the hardware yourself.
- Once you’ve installed the hanger, you’ll need to place the feeder in the desired location.
The best part of a deck bird feeder is that it allows you to be up close and personal with your favorite birds. And, since your bird feeder is elevated above the ground, you will have more opportunities to see flocks of birds, instead of just one or two.
Final thoughts on the best bird feeder for apartment balcony
As you’ve now gathered, finding the best bird feeder for apartment balcony or deck doesn’t have to be complicated. Just identify the best spot available, clean the place, add colorful flowers and order a suitable feeder!
Making a DIY balcony bird feeder is also an easy and affordable option if you already have the tools at home.
Lastly, if you enjoy a wide range of colors on your balcony, perhaps you should consider attracting butterflies as well.
You can also find more useful balcony information in this article, or by reading the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Frequently asked questions
Is having a bird feeder problematic?
While there are numerous benefits to having a bird feeder, there are also drawbacks. A bird feeder can bring together different species of birds more often than you might expect, creating the perfect breeding ground for a variety of pathogens and parasites.
Many birds will crowd into a small space to reach the tasty morsels, making it easier for the pathogens to jump from one bird to another.
We all know that the most important advantage of having a bird feeder is that it provides fresh food for birds. However, a poorly maintained bird feeder can cause illness.
You must regularly change the seed and water in your bird feeder. If the seed and water become moldy, it is best to dispose of the entire feeder.
Additionally, a bird feeder can attract several types of wildlife. Besides birds, it can attract raccoons, squirrels, and flying squirrels. This may not be a problem if you live in a high-rise apartment building in the city, but could very well become a reality if you live in a house in the suburbs, surrounded by nature.
If you do not want your feeder to attract these creatures, you can try removing the feeder.
How do you feed birds on a balcony?
You can easily attract birds to your balcony, but it is a great idea to also know how to properly feed them. You can place your feeder on a ledge or use a small dish. You can also install a dripper to let the water drip into the feeder.
You could use a serving dish to make the balcony bird feeder more appealing to different types of birds. A bowl with water is also a great option. A shallow bird feeder can be a great choice for a small balcony.
Should I feed pigeons on my balcony?
Aside from being predatory, pigeons will avoid humans, which will make them less likely to stay on your balcony. Nevertheless, if you want to attract and feed pigeons on your balcony, make sure to provide healthy, nutritious foods for them.
Many people choose to feed a variety of scraps and leftovers, but this is not their natural diet, bread and leftovers have little nutritional value and are often wasted.
Are window bird feeders safe?
In general, window bird feeders are safe. The main thing you need to be careful of is predators. It’s important to place the bird feeder out of the reach of predators. Also, make sure the window bird feeder is installed on a clean window so that it sticks well.
In addition, they need to be far away from cats and tree branches. Make sure you’re placing them at a distance where the cats can’t reach them. And, you could also cover your window bird feeder when not in use, as an extra safety measure.