Best Bird Feeders With Cameras, Tested and Reviewed (2024)

Birds are one of the most exciting things in life. Birds are very beautiful, and fun to watch, but you have to stay away so as not to scare them away. Smart bird feeders—that is, bird feeders with connected cameras and software—give you an up-close view of the birds in your backyard through captured images and real-time views (as long as your Wi-Fi is available). They have become very popular, and more options are being released from popular and similar Amazon products. These are the best bird feeder cameras we’ve tested.

These apps use AI that can recognize bird species. In our testing, none of them had strong identifications. However, each has advantages that will appeal to you. You can use it Google Lens or, if you have an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, download the photos to your camera roll and click the notification button. It performs the famous bird recognition function. Although it’s a work in progress, I don’t want to be without a bird feeder camera now that I’ve come across it.

Bird watching is an easy hobby to find. You don’t have to join a group either actually buy everything, but if you want, we have pointers on Best Binoculars and Best Birding Equipmentand reviews of our favorite apps, books, and more.

Updated December 2024: Added Netvue Birdfy’s Feeder 2 Duo and Hum Feeder Duo with updated links and full prices.

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How We Test Bird Feeders

Former WIRED analyst Medea Giordano tested a porch feeder in Texas and another in a Pennsylvania backyard. In Texas, they put it all on the table and secured it with rails and cable ties. In Pennsylvania, they used bracket mounts to attach to the pole. WIRED analyst Kat Merck tested feeders in a rural area in Southwest Washington. The feeders were placed directly on the house with screws, or hung from a shepherd’s hook placed on the side of the house.

Once set up, we all filled them with bird seed (or a 4 to 1 mixture of sugar and water) and waited patiently for the local birds to find them. We looked at everything that was included with the program, and we saw how much information we received and whether it was picking up birds correctly or any type of outdoor movement, and how well it could distinguish between different types of birds. We broke them and washed them, putting them back on their feet afterwards. We test everyone for at least two weeks, but usually for a month.

The Cutest Feeder (and Plastic Alternative)

Birdfy, from security company Netvue, is two feeders we recommend. This bamboo is very attractive, but comes with a little maintenance. It doesn’t have plastic parts like the other feeders on this list, and with its dark and natural wood colors, it looks natural. The additional cow allows more birds to collect and explore, and it has two large stores of different types of seeds or similar. The storage is mixed in the tray at the bottom, however. The FeatherSnap feeder below they use different bins and trays if you want.

Like other feeders on this list, they can be mounted on a tree or pole or hung from a hook. It also comes with a rechargeable solar panel, so you don’t have to worry about charging the camera’s battery.

Although a bamboo dining table is beautiful, it needs maintenance. Birdfy says the feeder is IP65 waterproof and is mold and rot resistant. However, the user manual says that it should be printed. Through RedditBirdfy recommends publishing using a bird-proof wood seal. I can’t comment directly on its durability, since when I tested this dish I used it on a table on my covered porch.

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