Hummingbirds can fly in all directions-forward, backward, sideways, and up above the clouds!
They travel to areas with good food and places with vibrant hues of orange, red, and even deep pink.
Even high-tech robots would be envious of the rhythmic movement of the tiny hummingbirds’ bodies.
They may fly hundreds of kilometers and can flutter their wings well over 50 times per second.
Trees with flowers, such as eucalyptus, redbud, and mimosa, are much higher above the ground and are popular nectar sources.
And not surprisingly, that is where you can find hummingbirds the most.
For a bird lover, it’s worth making an effort to draw hummingbirds to your balcony to have a beautiful morning sight.
Good news: hummingbirds are quite curious, and it’s not so difficult to attract them.
Learning about these little, vibrant birds’ behavior and what appeals to them most is the first step to attracting them to your patio.
Read on to find out how.
Plant Vibrant Flowers
Concentrate on colorful blooms to fully stand out with your elevated collection.
You might think about planting a variety of flowers that hummingbirds find attractive.
Red cardinal flowers are well known to entice hummingbirds, and their beauty is a bonus.
Your balcony space can gain some visual appeal while also becoming more inviting to the neighborhood hummingbird population.
You may grow trumpet honeysuckle, sage, or bee balm.
However, it’s important to remember that local hummingbirds often choose local vegetation. Look out for natural flora in your region that are attractive to hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds will likely visit your planters every day to collect nectar if they are filled with blooms that they enjoy.
Geraniums are a good choice for a balcony that gets plenty of sun.
Large blossom clusters on these plants catch the attention of hummingbirds and even people from a distance.
However, geraniums are often deficient in nectar, so place a pot with nectar-rich nasturtiums, New Guinea impatiens, or any hummingbird-friendly plants to entice the nectar-seekers coming back.
Impatiens walleriana, often known as annual shade impatiens, are a very prominent attraction and a gratifying nectar supply for balconies that receive some shade.
Set Up Bird Feeders
Installing bird feeders is the easiest way to bring hummingbirds to your balcony. Hummingbirds will frequently land on bird feeders if you hang them in the right places so they can devour the nectar.
Making your nectar makes it simple to keep the feeders stocked. You’ll only need to check back to see whether the feeders must be refilled.
Make sure the feeders are clean and inviting. Hummingbirds will stop landing on feeders that are not clean, possibly because of the tainted nectar.
To keep the place healthy and tidy, replace the nectar within five days to prevent it from spoiling. The nectar will go sour if you go much longer, killing the motive.
If possible, place the feeders out of direct sunlight. The nectar will ferment more quickly at hotter temperatures.
Mold may appear on the feeders if they get too dirty. To eliminate the mold and foul smell of fermentation, use hot water and vinegar to wash the feeder.
You should avoid using chemical cleansers or solvents to wash the feeders. These might be toxic to the birds, and they might never want to land on your balcony.
Make Some Extra Room for Them
While goldfinches and perhaps other species may eat in harmony, hummingbirds frequently squabble and chase one another away from feeders.
Hummingbirds evolved to eat at blooms that only produce finite volumes of nectar; as a result, they reflexively guard their food supply, particularly when they land on feeders with an infinite supply.
Consider placing several feeders so that they are hidden from one another. Even the fiercest little hummingbird cannot dominate several feeders if they are not all visible at once.
Prune Your Flowers Every Once in a While
Flowers can blossom more effectively by being deadheaded. You’ll essentially need to walk around and pick off the plants’ withered blossoms and pods.
Pruning improves the chances of plant growth and makes sure your flowers are blooming all around the year.
The blooms will be much more appealing to the neighborhood hummingbirds if you take the trouble to deadhead them.
The blossoms become more dazzling, attracting the hummingbirds’ attention.
Petals eventually tend to lose their brightness as they age, but you may prevent this by clipping the withered flowers off and replacing them with fresh, vivid blossoms.
Install Horizontal Perches on the Balcony
Installing a secure landing spot on the balcony might be useful if you want to invite more hummingbirds. Because flying requires a lot of energy, these birds occasionally need to take a break.
The birds would be quite grateful if you could provide them with a comfortable area to rest on your balcony.
Consider placing perches on multiple spots and around feeders; the best option is to paint them with vibrant colors to attract the birds from a distance.
You can use wood stalks or plastic rods as they are relatively durable.
Make Some Space for the Birds to Splash
These little birds prefer to dampen their wings by soaring through or resting under a light shower. However, they may stop randomly at a humble bath to take a dip.
Incorporating a flowing water element is one of the best ideas to turn your yard into a hummingbird haven.
You may mimic hummingbirds’ natural showers on your patio by recreating rainfall, gushing streams, or waterfall. It’s simple!
Add the Red Element; It’s a Surefire Attraction
Flowers with vivid red blossoms and a tubular form favor hummingbird pollination in North America. Hummingbirds have a natural tendency to search for and observe red objects.
(We’ve observed them taking side trips to observe cars’ taillights and perhaps even someone’s burnt cheek!) It goes without saying that growing red flowers will help you draw hummingbirds.
These wildflowers thrive remarkably in backyard gardens:
Daylilies in Red
When you grow this beloved backyard flower, you’ll have blossoms all summer long. Daylilies may be grown in almost any shade, including full sun and moderate shade.
Carnation Flower
There’s a good reason the cardinal flower bears the name of such an exquisite bird. The vibrant red blossoms, which may reach heights of 4 feet and a width of 2 feet, brighten up gardens.
Penstemon
These cheery, multicolored trumpets may be grown anywhere from full sun to mild shade. They need well-drained grounds, and they can withstand drought once planted.
Honey Balm
Although newer bee balm cultivars come in pink, purple, and white, hummingbirds are still drawn to the traditional red color of the plant.
Hibiscus
This perennial may reach a height of 15 feet and is vigorous, stunning, and alluring for hummingbirds.
Prepare Your Own Fresh Nectar Supply
Hummingbird nectar may be made at home, and it’s so much better than the storebought product. You can prepare it every few days when cleaning the feeders and refilling the nectar supply.
In a large bowl, thoroughly combine one part white sugar with four parts water. The solution could last longer if you give it a boil to eliminate any impurities.
Also, avoid adding honey, red food pigment, or other chemicals while feeding hummingbirds. All you need is water and simple sugar.
Say No to Pesticides
Hummingbirds feed their offspring completely on insects, in addition to nectar. Also, hummingbirds use spider webs to build their nests.
So what’s worse than spraying away their favorite insects with toxic chemicals?
Sadly, widespread pesticide usage is one of the many reasons why the population of insects and other arthropods is rapidly declining globally.
Additionally, these compounds may be ingested by birds and accumulate in their bodies, harming their reproductive and physical health.
It makes sense to get rid of pesticides from our balconies because they are obviously dangerous to birds.
It seems that many helpful garden species, including spiders and predatory insects, will reward you for it by providing their services. And so is the case with our pollinator champs- butterflies and bees.
Don’t Let the Cats In!
Small birds are at grave risk from stray cats. Wild cats come second after window crashes regarding anthropogenic sources of bird mortality.
Hummingbirds may appear to move very quickly, but they are just as vulnerable to cat attacks as many other birds, both on the ground and in the sky.
Make sure your cat can’t chase and capture birds if you have a cat and any bird feeder. The simplest solution is to restrict or prohibit kitty deck visits.
Other options include:
- Put your hummingbird feeder in the highest possible location.
- Ensure that cats can’t jump on taller bushes or objects to get to the feeder.
- To prevent your cat from leaping on the feeder, surround it with prickly plants.
- Cats frequently die through falls from balconies or windows when embroiled in a bird stalking spree. Keep your balcony doors and windows locked to save your cats and hummingbirds from misadventure.
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