The sight of a hummingbird hovering at a feeder is one of the simplest yet most delightful garden experiences for any bird lover, ourselves included. When presented with the opportunity to test out the Bird Buddy’s Smart Hummingbird Feeder Pro, we jumped at the chance to get a closer look at our favorite feathered friends.
Features
At its core, the Bird Buddy Hummingbird Feeder Pro is designed to do two jobs. First, it dispenses nectar safely and securely to attract hummingbirds. Second, it integrates a camera system that automatically captures photos and short video clips when a bird is detected at the feeder.
The feeder’s camera unit has a 5-megapixel sensor and is capable of recording video at 720p HD resolution and audio through an integrated microphone. Housed inside a weather-sealed casing designed to protect it from rain and moisture ensures the camera module can remain outdoors year-round without additional shielding. The camera fits into any of Bird Buddy’s devices, whether a seed feeder or bird bath, giving you a sneak peek into the lives of your favorite airborne yard visitors.
The feeder connects exclusively through a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal, which means its performance relies on the quality of the wireless coverage where the feeder is installed. Having a strong connection to your router is of utmost importance to connect with the Bird Buddy app consistently and capture “postcards” of its visitors. Once linked to the Bird Buddy app, the system automatically sends a notification when the motion sensor detects a bird’s presence.
The app also uses an artificial intelligence component to identify hummingbird species, adding an educational layer for users interested in keeping a species record. The recorded media is stored through the Bird Buddy app, which pairs with the feeder via your home Wi-Fi network. Users receive alerts when a hummingbird arrives and can review, save, and share these moments directly from their smartphone or tablet.
The main housing of the feeder is also made from weather-resistant materials. A clear, red-colored nectar reservoir allows for easy visual monitoring of nectar levels. According to Bird Buddy, all materials in contact with nectar are BPA-free, an important feature for any feeder intended to hold sugar water outdoors for extended periods.
One of the main challenges of any smart outdoor device is power management. To address this, Bird Buddy offers an optional solar roof attachment that sits on top of the feeder. In favorable sunlight conditions, this addition can provide continuous trickle charging, reducing or even eliminating the need for manual recharging.
For those who prefer not to use the solar option or who have shaded yards, the feeder’s battery can be recharged via a USB-C port. The longevity of a single charge will naturally depend on local weather conditions, the amount of bird activity, and the frequency of camera activation. In our tests without the solar panel, the battery lasted a bit more than a week when fewer birds visited the feeder, and just around seven days at points of higher activity. With the solar panel installed, it has operated continuously without the need to remove and recharge for over a month.
The companion mobile app is integral to the Bird Buddy experience. Once the feeder is connected to a Wi-Fi network, it communicates with the app to send real-time notifications whenever a hummingbird is detected. Users can view captured images and clips, and they can maintain a record of which species have visited.
This feature may appeal strongly to hobbyists who are interested in monitoring specific species, tracking patterns of visits, or sharing sightings with family members. While the feeder automates the process of recording and identifying guests, it does not remove the usual maintenance obligations of a nectar feeder, such as cleaning the reservoir regularly to prevent mold growth.
Our Testing Experience
The Bird Buddy Smart Hummingbird Feeder Pro is easy to set up, and we had it up and running within minutes. You fill the reservoir while it is detached. For the nectar, combine one part refined white sugar with four parts water. To make 1 cup of nectar – which fills the feeder nearly perfectly – dissolve 1/4 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water. You can stir it for a long time to dissolve completely, or bring the mixture to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Do not use any dye, which is harmful to the hummingbirds if used.
The solar panel is extremely convenient, and the app reminds us when to clean and check the feeder for nectar levels. It took a week or so for hummingbirds to find our feeder, but once located, our postcards started arriving regularly. The reservoir is easy to clean and fill, and a simple wipe down of the solar panel and camera lens with a soft, clean cloth is all we’ve had to do to keep the components in tip-top condition
.
If we have one issue, it is how the feeder’s reliance on Wi-Fi means that signal strength may affect how reliably images and notifications are delivered to the app. Gardeners with weaker backyard coverage may wish to consider this in advance.
Verdict
The Bird Buddy Hummingbird Feeder Pro combines straightforward hummingbird feeding with smart features intended to extend the experience beyond a quick glimpse and will likely appeal most to those interested in building a digital record of visitors, learning species names, and sharing their sightings easily. The feeder is a simple yet enjoyable piece of smart home tech for any bird enthusiast, and, like Bird Buddy’s Smart Feeder offerings, we give an exceptional recommendation for this smart nature tech. Happy birdwatching!
See also: Review: Narwal Freo Z10
