I've Found the Best Deal on a Smart Bird Feeder – It's Beautifully Designed, Can Be Set it Up in Minutes, and Settles the ‘What Bird Is That?’ Debate
It's even solar powered
There has been something of an explosion in smart bird feeders over the past few years, and it is easy to see why. But if you haven't used this kind of technology before, knowing which smart bird feeder to choose can feel as complicated as identifying the birds themselves.
These clever gadgets combine a traditional bird feeder with a camera, sending high-res footage of your garden wildlife straight to your phone, and using AI to identify the birds you spot. There are cameras to consider, apps to download, wifi connections to make and AI features to navigate.
Well, I have scoured the deals online this week, and I think the Birdfy Ebony Smart Bird Feeder from Walmart is an ideal place to start. It combines the clever features you'd expect – including 2K footage, solar power, and AI identification – with a sleek wooden design that wouldn't look out of place in any stylish garden. Better still, it's designed to be straightforward to set up and it's currently 44% off at Walmart.
Why Shoppers Love It
We all know the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are going on right now, and there are lots of discounted Birdfy products on the site.
This bird feeder camera, however, is at Walmart and I think deserves the spotlight, not least because it's the best deal I've seen on a smart feeder and once connected it is simple to use for anyone starting out in the world of garden tech. Oh, and 87% of more than 2,500 Walmart customers think so too.
A lot of reviewers specifically mention how sharp and detailed the photos and videos are, with several saying they love getting an unusually close view of backyard birds visiting their garden, as well as greater knowledge about all the breeds of birds. One recent reviewer called the footage clear and said the notifications make it particularly enjoyable.
Shoppers like the natural, wooden appearance and the fact that it blends into the backyard rather than looking like a piece of outdoor tech. One reviewer described it as an 'attractive addition to their backyard', while another particularly liked the large seed capacity and concealed camera.
There are several reviews from people who say the feeder has become a new hobby, with families enjoying the footage together. One reviewer bought it for a granddaughter who loves animals and said she could use it to identify birds in her area. Another described it as a 'particularly good gift for a bird lover'.
The adjustable solar panel is one feature that is repeatedly praised. People who have bought and reviewed this camera like not having to keep taking it down to charge, and can re-position the panel so that it absorbs the most sun possible during the day.
There are a couple of caveats to watch for, however. The feeder only works with 2.4GHz wifi, not 5GHz. Several reviewers weren't aware of this beforehand and had difficulty getting it connected, with one saying they had to contact their internet provider to separate their wifi networks.
The other point to note is the wooden feeder needs some weatherproofing before winter. A few reviewers mention that the wood arrived unfinished and that they needed to seal or paint it before putting it outside. The product description states it is made from waterproof fir wood, but if you want to seal it, this natural sealing oil for wood, available from Amazon, would do the job well.
What to Shop
Knowing where to place your bird feeder is vital if you want to attract and feed wildlife safely to your garden. Ideally, it should be in a quieter corner, close to some shelter, birds can feed undisturbed.
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