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Bird watching is one of the great pleasures in life. The birds are very beautiful and fun to watch, but you should keep your distance so as not to scare them. Smart bird feeders—that is, bird feeders with connected cameras and apps—give you an up-close view of your backyard birds through captured images and real-time live views (as long as your Wi-Fi scope). They have become increasingly popular and tons of options are being released from both well-known brands and Amazon clones. These are the best bird feeder cameras we’ve tested.
The apps use AI that can, in theory, identify bird species. In our testing, none have had perfectly strong identifications. However, each has advantages that you may find attractive. 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 information button. It does a solid job of identifying birds. Even if it’s a work in progress, I don’t want to be left without a bird feeder camera now that I’ve experienced it.
Bird watching is quite accessible as a hobby. No need to join a group or In fact buy anything, but if you’re interested, we’ve got guides to the best binoculars and birdwatching gear, with recommendations for our favorite apps, books, and accessories.
Updated December 2024: We added Netvue Birdfy’s Feeder 2 Duo and Hum Feeder Duo and updated links and pricing.
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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, he set them up on a table and secured them to the railing with the included mounting straps. In Pennsylvania, he used the brackets to attach them to a pole. WIRED reviewer Kat Merck tested feeders in a rural-suburban neighborhood in southwest Washington. The feeders were mounted directly to the house with the included brackets or hung from a shepherd’s hook mounted on the siding of the house.
After installation, we both filled them with birdseed (or a 4 to 1 nectar mixture of granulated sugar and water) and waited patiently for the local birds to find them. We review all the included app features, check how often we receive notifications, and see if they accurately detect just birds or any type of outdoor movement, and how well they can distinguish bird species. We dismantle and clean them, then return them to their supports. We test each one for at least two weeks, but usually for more than a month.
The cutest feeder (and a plastic alternative)
Birdfy, from security company Netvue, has two feeders that we recommend. This bamboo one is the prettiest, but it requires a little maintenance. It doesn’t have plastic parts like the rest of the 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 gather and investigate, and has two large containers for different types of seeds or the same ones. However, the containers are mixed in the tray below. He FeatherSnap Feeder Below use separate containers and trays if you prefer.
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 mount, so you never have to think about charging the camera battery.
As beautiful as the bamboo feeder is, it requires maintenance. Birdfy notes that the feeder has an IP65 waterproof rating and is resistant to mold and rot. However, the user manual indicates that it needs to be sealed. Through redditBirdfy recommends sealing using a bird safe wood sealer. I can’t comment directly on its durability, as when I tested this feeder I used it on a table on my covered balcony.
Plastic, while not as pretty as wood, is more durable and easier to clean. Birdfy’s 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.
