Smart bird feeders are going on sale ahead of Black Friday, with models offering high-resolution cameras, 4K video, bird identification and solar power. The featured deals include the Birdfy Feeder Lite Solar Powered for $127, the Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 with a solar roof for $170, and the Kiwibit 4K Smart Bird Feeder with an auxiliary solar panel for $140.
Birds do not know or care that they are being watched, but observing them can be a welcome break from the constant stream of news about artificial intelligence, economic indicators and other major events. A garden feeder can reveal an unexpected drama, from a one-eyed crow to a Steller’s jay that fills its crop with peanuts until it becomes translucent.
Smart bird feeders have been available since 2020. Even relatively inexpensive models now commonly include high-resolution cameras, 4K video recording and AI-based bird identification. Most require little maintenance beyond refilling the seed hopper. For pole-mounted feeders, the 5-7-9 rule can help keep squirrels away.
Birdfy Feeder Lite Solar Powered: $127
The Birdfy Feeder Lite Solar Powered is listed at $180, but the blue version is currently available for $127, a 29 percent reduction. The deal applies only to the blue model; yellow costs an additional $13.
At about $130, Birdfy’s original feeder is a relatively straightforward option. Other feeders may offer sturdier construction, more refined designs or higher-quality cameras, but they can cost more or come with unreliable apps and features locked behind subscriptions.
The feeder can be purchased without solar power for $110, but the solar version adds an auxiliary panel that can be installed separately. The panel has proved reliable in the author’s experience and avoids the need to bring the feeder indoors for charging. The model supports only 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi and includes a two-year warranty.
View the Birdfy Feeder Lite Solar Powered deal on Amazon
Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 with Solar Roof: $170
The Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 is listed at $240 and is currently discounted to $170, a 29 percent reduction. It is also available directly from Kiwibit for $180. This is not the company’s newest model—the Feeder 2 Pro costs $220—but the regular Feeder 2 is still designed for easy maintenance.
Its 1.5-liter seed hopper is divided for two types of feed and can be removed from the main unit using the top handle. That means the entire feeder does not need to be taken down for refilling.
The feeder has an 8-megapixel camera and records 4K video. During testing, the solar roof kept it charged in all weather. The app is easy to use and does not require a Kiwibit Plus subscription, although some features are increasingly being placed behind a paywall. The feeder works only with 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi and comes with a one-year warranty, compared with Birdfy’s two-year warranty.
The source describes the feeder as easy to maintain, with a solar panel that works in all weather and a sturdy construction. It also notes that the model is relatively expensive when not discounted and that some features require a subscription.
View the Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 deal on Amazon
Kiwibit 4K Smart Bird Feeder with Auxiliary Solar: $140
The Kiwibit 4K Smart Bird Feeder with Auxiliary Solar is listed at $190 and discounted to $140, a 26 percent reduction. It uses the same camera and hardware as the Feeder 2 but does not include a built-in solar roof. Instead, the package includes a 3-watt solar panel that can be attached to the back of the wall mount.
The included panel can be mounted separately, including on a pole-mounted setup used to help avoid squirrels. The model offers Kiwibit’s solid construction and high-resolution images for $30 less than the Feeder 2 with its integrated solar roof.
View the Kiwibit 4K Smart Bird Feeder deal on Amazon
Other models to consider
More heavily built feeders and models with higher-resolution cameras are available, but they may cost more or have less polished software. The source specifically mentions Kiwibit as a sturdier alternative and Camojojo’s 32-megapixel Hibird as an option for higher camera resolution. Those products can also involve less reliable apps or subscription-based features.
For shoppers who want a dependable feeder with a straightforward app and no paywall on key features, the Birdfy model offers a solar option and a two-year warranty. Kiwibit’s feeders provide larger seed capacity or higher-resolution video, but both models in this article support only 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi, and the Feeder 2 has a one-year warranty.
Source: www.wired.com