Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
Revieweds mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
To capture every minute: Wasserstein Bird Feeder Camera Case
1080p outdoor-rated cameras from Blink, Ring, and Wyze can be used with this bird feeder. It also holds up to 2 quarts of seed.
The Wasserstein Bird Feeder Camera Case is a feeder that has a camera case attached to it. It is made to work with a number of well-known camera models, such as the Blink Outdoor, Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In, and a few Wyze cameras. These models can all provide 1080p HD live and recorded clips, as well as instant smartphone alerts. Since the Ring camera is the only supported model and one of our top picks for outdoor cameras, I used it to test the Wasserstein case. The Ring camera also uses a solar panel. Purchasing one of those is highly recommended for any smart feeder, as birds tend to arrive in large flocks and the rechargeable battery will probably run out sooner due to the increased activity.
To assemble the Wasserstein case, place the camera inside the feeder (accessories are available to help various cameras adjust) and snap a few parts together. It comes with a mount, but you can use the mounting strap that is included if you don’t want to damage your tree or house.
The quality of the s and reaction time depends on the camera you use. I connected the feeder to Ring’s battery-operated camera, which allowed for excellent 1080p video and immediate smartphone notifications, sometimes as often as 50 or 60 times a day. Typically, you should adjust the sensitivity settings on a camera when it receives that many alerts by setting up invisible zones that the camera either detects or ignores. Zones aren’t reliable in this instance because the birds are so close to the lens.
I also had to sign up for Ring Protect Basic, which costs $5 per month or $50 per year for one camera, in order to record any video footage because our testing setup required a Ring camera. You have two options if you use the Blink or Wyze cameras: you can pay for a cloud subscription or use a flash drive or SD card to get free local storage. With Wyze, the motion detection technology can distinguish between motion coming from an animal, car, person, or package, allowing you to restrict motion recordings to only include animal footage.
The Wasserstein case works well as a feeder and is large enough that I frequently found multiple birds gobbling up food. It’s slightly bigger than the Bird Buddy, holding just under 2 quarts of seed. Removing the roof and pouring in the seed makes loading it simple. (Alternatively, you may choose to simply fill the feeder tray; however, depending on traffic, you may need to refill it frequently.) Wasserstein suggests using a solution of soap, water, and vinegar, but we advise disassembling it and using bleach if you want to give it a quick wipe in between feedings.
- How to Clean a Bird Feeder: Regularly cleaning and disinfecting your bird feeder is just as crucial as providing food for your beloved avians.
The Wasserstein case costs $70, in addition to the camera, add-ons (like a solar panel), and, if your camera needs it, a subscription for video storage. That puts the price in line with the Bird Buddy, depending on the camera; however, it cannot identify your guests, so you’ll need to always have a bird guide on hand. (The total cost of a Blink or Ring setup, without a storage plan, is roughly $170. If you wish to observe birds or if you already have one of these models of cameras, it’s still a good choice.
Netvue Birdfy Feeder AI
This superb all-around intelligent bird feeder repels squirrels and records crisp images and videos of backyard birds in action. Read More.
- High quality camera
- Multiple ways to mount
- Bonus attachments
- Inaccurate AI recognition
2
Bird Buddy combines good looks with functionality thats on point. Its excellent bird ID software outweighs a few minor negatives. Read More.
- High-quality camera
- Excellent AI bird identification
- Easy-to-use app
- Modern design
- No night vision
- Mounting options need improvement
- Solar roof not included
3
No squirrel or raccoon will be able to topple this durable, intelligent bird feeder. Camera offers a clear picture, and solar panel charges nicely. Read More.
- Ultra sturdy
- Exclusive app with bird ID
- Clear picture
- Terrible mounting instructions and screws
4
The Solar Panels And Wi-Fi Antennas Break Easily
The raccoons and squirrels proved to be too strong for the smart feeders we tested. Damage included bent mountings, broken Wi-Fi antennae, and broken solar panel attachments.
The majority of the models we tested came with solar panels in addition to the cost of the smart bird feeder. Although these solar panels are excellent for maintaining the feeders’ battery life, visiting raccoons and squirrels frequently bump into or sit on them.
During our three weeks of testing, only one of the solar panels remained intact. Additionally, animals frequently broke the brittle Wi-Fi antennas and left them hanging, literally
Privacy issues arise when using smart cameras, such as video doorbells, bird feeders with cameras, and outdoor security cameras, especially when using cameras around your home that can secretly record guests, neighbors, and passersby. Think carefully about where you put it in your yard and what you include in any videos you share online.
Even though every bird feeder camera will have different privacy policies, be sure to read the fine print before making a purchase. The Bird Buddy’s camera range is comparable to that of an outdoor security camera, but it lacks privacy features like motion or privacy zones, which allow you to specify which areas the camera records or doesn’t record. These features are typically found in most large-brand cameras and video doorbells, so they would also apply to the Ring, Blink, and Wyze options for the Wasserstein feeder. Since Bird Buddy encrypts all of its recordings, when the clips are being transferred from the camera to the storage server, nobody else should be able to view or access them. This keeps it more secure. Additionally, we have a wealth of advice to keep your smart home secure.
FAQ
Are camera bird feeders worth it?
What kind of bird feeder attracts the most birds?
Does Bird Buddy have a monthly fee?
What is the smart bird feeder that takes pictures?