Hummingbird feeder cameras are this year's must-have wildlife gadget – to help you capture professional shots of these miniature birds

With hummingbird feeder cameras in your yard, you can take high-quality photographs of these colorful, native birds

Hummingbird feeding on pink salvia flowers in a garden
(Image credit: Getty Images/Dave Hutchison Photography)

Hummingbirds are remarkable creatures. As the world's smallest migratory birds, they can weigh little more than the size of a ping-pong ball yet travel over 5,000 miles from the pine-oak forests of Mexico to the Rocky Mountains in the United States - a feat of the natural world. Luckily for us, hummingbirds head north to breed, meaning that from April and May, these native miniature birds are commonly seen in backyards and gardens across the US.

If you have been wondering how to attract hummingbirds, providing food, a perch, and some water is a good start. I would also suggest incorporating native plants in your borders, such as trees that attract hummingbirds, including native dogwood trees or native blue vervain, both known to support local wildlife through different seasons. Yards that are rich in flora will undoubtedly attract native bird species.

Many of us are fascinated by hummingbirds, but getting close enough to see them in detail is tricky. That's why the new must-have wildlife gadget is proving popular with bird watchers. Bird feeder cameras produce incredibly detailed photographs at close range, allowing you to appreciate these shimmering and sometimes iridescent birds without the risk of scaring them away.

hummingbird and redbud flowers

(Image credit: Supercaliphotolistic / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)

Hummingbird feeder cameras

These smart devices are packed with useful features, allowing you to see and snap hummingbirds in your backyard at any time of day. Gone are the days of staking out and waiting patiently, these digital hummingbird feeder cameras can sense wildlife, jumping into action to record any sudden bird arrivals.

How do hummingbird feeder cameras work?

Hummingbird with red bill, flying in a garden

(Image credit: Getty Images/john finney photography)

Think smart bird feeder with a high-resolution camera. These innovative devices are triggered by motion, automatically capturing high-definition images or videos and updating you by sending notifications to your mobile phone. All you have to do is connect your feeder to an app through Wi-Fi and let the digital camera do the work for you. If you are looking for wildlife garden ideas this year, these hummingbird feeder cameras might be just the product you need.

You might think this a step too far from the traditional art form of birdwatching, but the images these devices can take will be sure to change your opinion. As you may be aware, hummingbirds are notoriously difficult to photograph, with some smaller species flapping their wings up to 80 times per second, appearing as a blur to the naked eye. However, with these hummingbird feeder cameras, you will be able to slow down, zoom in, and appreciate these miniature natives.

What's more, many of the associated apps for these hummingbird feeder cameras come with clever identification technologies, helping you to learn all about different hummingbird species in your yard. Some of these apps do require a subscription but can be freely used for an initial 30-day trial period.

Depending on the model of feeder you procure, some will require charging from an electrical power point, while some come with solar panels for a clever green alternative. All feeders come with small wells for a sugar-nectar mix to attract hummingbirds, which will deter pests or other birds who will not be able to access this food. If you are wondering how to help garden birds in summer, look no further than these hummingbird feeder cameras from Amazon.

It's important to note that our team have not tested any of these cameras, however, we have read the reviews and scoured the deals out there to bring you our recommended selection, with up to 38% off the full price.

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FAQs

Do hummingbird feeder cameras need Wi-Fi to operate?

Yes, most hummingbird feeder cameras require access to Wi-Fi, allowing your mobile phone to receive up-to-date and live notifications when birds are visiting. However, there are some non-WiFi camera options available, typically coming with an internal memory card that you can check by downloading the data to your computer.


For more information, see our guide on the best birdhouses to buy this year, helping you to attract a range of native birds to your yard and usher in a season of chirping and tweeting in your borders.

For more photography options, there are non-feeder wildlife cameras, available from Amazon, that can be strategically placed in the yard to get the best action shots of cardinals and warblers this summer.

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Thomas Rutter
Content Editor

Thomas is a Content Editor within the Gardens Team at Homes and Gardens. He has worked as a professional gardener in gardens across the UK and Italy, specializing in productive gardening, growing food and flowers. Trained in Horticulture at the Garden Museum, London, he has written on gardening and garden history for various publications in the UK, including The English Garden, Gardens Illustrated, Hortus, The London Gardener and Bloom. He has co-authored a Lonely Planet travel book, The Tree Atlas, due out in 2024.