ZDNET's key takeaways The Bird Buddy is available for $199.
This bird feeder has a camera that takes beautiful pictures, is easy to set up, and features bird identification.
It does require recharging once a week unless you have the solar option, needs to be within Wi-Fi range, and can miss some bird visitors. View now at Amazon View now at Mybirdbuddy more buying choices
The bird feeders in my yard have always been an attraction for those watching from the couch, especially during the pandemic a few years ago. Whether it's particularly crowded during a sunny afternoon or a squirrel is performing acrobatics to access birdseed, watching our feeders is a fun activity for everyone in our home. The Bird Buddy, however, has taken it to the next level.
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The Bird Buddy is an adorable yet uncomplicated smart bird feeder. It is complete with a 2K-resolution camera module that sits in the perfect spot to record and photograph birds that visit for a snack. The Bird Buddy app will alert you on your smartphone when a new bird visitor arrives, and you can check the app to see the recorded footage, photos, and information about the species that visited your feeder.
After launching on Kickstarter in late 2020, a prime time for bird-feeding sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bird Buddy quickly gained backers and rose to become the single most-funded project in the Gadgets category in the world.
Why get a smart bird feeder
A tufted titmouse in Bird Buddy that would later come to be known as Walter. Maria Diaz/ZDNET
I'm a sucker for a bird feeder of any kind. I've had up to six setups simultaneously, with different kinds of wild bird seed, suet, or homemade blends, ranging from fancy little bird-sized houses to cute thrift store teacups and a hummingbird feeder.
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