The Best Bird Feeders With Cameras Tested & Reviewed (2024)

Birds are one of the great joys in life. The birds are so beautiful and fun to watch, but you have to keep your distance so you don’t scare them off. Smart bird feeders – that is. bird feeders with cameras and connected apps – give you an up-close view of your backyard birds through captured images and real-time live views (as long as you have Wi-Fi). They are becoming more and more popular and tons of options are being released from both reputable brands and Amazon clones. These are the best bird feeder cameras we’ve tried.

The apps use AI, which in theory can identify bird species. In our testing, none had completely solid identifications. However, each has benefits that you may like. You can use Google Lens or, if you have an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, download the photos to your camera roll and click the info 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 tested it.

Bird watching is a fairly affordable hobby. You don’t have to join a group or indeed buy everything, but if you’re interested, we have guides for Best binoculars and The ultimate birdwatching gearwith recommendations for our favorite apps, books and accessories.

Updated December 2024: Added Feeder 2 Duo and Hum Feeder Duo to Netvue Birdfy and updated links and prices throughout.

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How we test bird feeders

Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tested some feeders on a balcony in Texas and one in a backyard in Pennsylvania. In Texas, she placed them both on a table and attached to the railing with the included mounting strips. In Pennsylvania, she used the clamps to attach to a pole. WIRED reviewer Kat Merk tested feeders in a rural suburban neighborhood in southwest Washington. The feeders were either mounted directly on the house with the included brackets or hung from a shepherd’s hook mounted on the siding of the house.

After setting up, we both filled them with bird seed (or a 4 to 1 granulated sugar/water nectar mixture) and patiently waited for the local birds to find them. We tested all of the app’s included features, seeing how often we received notifications and noting whether they accurately picked up just birds or some type of outdoor movement, and how well they could distinguish bird species. We took them apart and cleaned them, then put them back in their places. We test each one for a minimum of two weeks, but usually over a month.

The most beautiful feeder (and plastic alternative)

Birdfy from the security company Netvue has we recommend two feeders. This bamboo one is the best looking but comes with a little maintenance. It has no plastic parts like the other feeders on this list, and with its black and natural wood tones, it looks like it belongs in nature. An extendable perch allows multiple birds to congregate and explore, and there are two large bins for different types of seed or the same. However, the bins are mixed in the tray at the bottom. The FeatherSnap feeder below uses separate bins and trays if you prefer that.

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

As beautiful as a bamboo feeder is, it requires maintenance. Birdfy notes that the feeder has an IP65 waterproof rating and that it is resistant to mold and rot. However, the instruction manual states that it must be sealed. Through RedditBirdfy recommends sealing using a bird-safe wood sealant. I can’t directly comment on its durability as when I tested this feeder I used it on a table on my covered balcony.

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