Best Bird Feeders with Cameras, Tested & Reviewed (2024)

Birds are one of the great joys of life. The birds are very beautiful and fun to watch, but you have to keep your distance so as not to scare them away. Smart bird feeders — that is, bird feeders with connected cameras and apps — give you a close-up view of your backyard birds with captured photos and real-time live views (as long as your Wi-Fi network connects). They’re becoming increasingly popular, and plenty of options are being released from reputable brands and Amazon clones alike. These are the best bird feeding cameras we’ve tried.

The apps use artificial intelligence that can, in theory, identify bird species. In our tests, none of them had quite robust definitions. However, each has pros that may appeal to you. You can use google lens Or, if you have an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, download photos to your Camera Roll and Click the information button. It does a solid job of identifying birds. Even if it’s a work in progress, I don’t want to be without a bird feeder camera now that I’ve tried it.

Bird watching is accessible as a hobby. You don’t have to join a group or truly Buy anything, but if you’re interested, we have guides on Best binoculars and Best bird equipmentwith recommendations for our favorite apps, books, and accessories.

Updated December 2024: We’ve added Netvue Birdfy’s Feeder 2 Duo and Hum Feeder Duo and are updating links and prices all the time.

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How do we test bird feeders?

Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tested some feeders on a porch in Texas and one in a backyard in Pennsylvania. In Texas, she placed them on a table and secured them to the railing using the included mounting straps. In Pennsylvania, bow stands were used to attach to a pole. WIRED reviewer Kat Merk tested the feeders in a rural and suburban neighborhood in southwest Washington. Feeders were either mounted directly to the house using the included rack mounts, or hung from a shepherd’s hook mounted on the side of the house.

After setting up, we filled them with birdseed (or a 4-to-1 nectar mixture of sugar and water) and waited patiently for the local birds to find them. We looked at all of the app’s built-in features, seeing how often we received notifications and noting whether they accurately picked up only birds or any type of outdoor movement, and how well they were able to differentiate between bird species. We took them apart, cleaned them, and put them back in their holders afterward. We test each test for at least two weeks, but usually over a month.

The cutest feeder (and plastic alternative)

Birdfy, from security company Netvue, has done just that We recommend two feeders. This bamboo is the best looking, but comes with a little maintenance. It doesn’t have plastic parts like the other feeders on this list, and with its black and natural wood colors, it looks like it belongs in nature. The extendable perch allows multiple birds to congregate and investigate, and contains two large boxes for different types of seeds or the same type. However, the boxes get mixed up in the drawer below. the FeatherSnap feeder below Use separate boxes and trays if you prefer.

Like the other feeders on this list, it can be mounted to a post, tree, or hung from a hook. It also comes with a solar panel that you can attach as well, so you never have to think about charging your camera’s battery.

As beautiful as a bamboo feeder is, it requires maintenance. Birdfy notes that the feeder has an IP65 waterproof rating and is resistant to mold and mildew. However, the user manual states that it must be closed. via RedditBirdfy recommends sealing with a Bird safe wooden stopper. I can’t comment directly on its durability, since when I tested this feeder I used it on a table on my covered porch.

Plastic, although not as beautiful as wood, is more durable and easier to clean. The Birdfy plastic house is another great option to consider, and is often discounted. Not all packages come with a solar panel, but you can Buy it separately.