A Unique Smart Birdhouse
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Photograph: Kat Merck
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Photograph: Kat Merck
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Photograph: Kat Merck
Birdfy
Nest Polygon Smart Birdhouse
WIRED/TIRED
WIRED
- User-friendly app that compiles shareable “stories”
- No subscription needed to use
- Remote control allows troubleshooting without disturbing birds
- Interchangeable hole sizes to attract different bird species
TIRED
- Some connectivity issues
- No birds have yet nested in it
- Audible camera click when going live could scare curious visitors
Birdfy’s Polygon Smart Birdhouse isn’t the first smart birdhouse on the market, but it is the most interesting-looking. The parallelogram-esque, turquoise-paneled shape won a Gold award at 2024’s French Design Awards, and it’s easy enough to mount on a pole, fence, or tree. All the camera equipment is located in an easy-to-open rear hatch, and there’s even a remote control at the end of a 10-foot cord to be able to charge (though it has a built-in solar panel, so I’ve never needed to) or reset the 1080p camera.
It’s simple to integrate with the easy-to-use Birdfy app, which is ready and waiting to assemble a bird’s shareable “story,” from assembly of the nest to hatching to fledgling, and finally “the end,” when the nest is abandoned for the season. Note that the camera does emit an audible click whenever it’s triggered by movement or the app, and when I had a chickadee interested in the nest, it clearly heard this and was alarmed by it. The inside is a little larger than many birds would naturally gravitate to, and the chickadees in my yard were put off by the black drainage plate Birdfy recommends sliding into the bottom—I would recommend leaving it off. Since the box itself has drainage holes as well, I ended up fashioning a cardboard “floor” and covering it with a handful of wood shavings. However, I do like that it comes with interchangeable hole sizes and metal predator guards to interest different species.
I have had a few assorted connectivity issues over the two seasons I’ve used this birdhouse, and my test house didn’t attract any visitors last spring. However, it’s back up for another go for spring 2026 and, aside from the unpainted bamboo top needing to be restained, still looks and works great, staying charged and attracting interest.
Smart Bird Feeder With the Best App
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Photograph: Kat Merck
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Screenshot courtesy of Kat Merck
Birdbuddy
Smart Bird Feeder Pro
WIRED/TIRED
WIRED
- Fun and feature-rich app
- Built-in solar panel works great
TIRED
- Camera doesn’t always capture all birds
Birdbuddy’s Pro model sports a snazzy new HDR camera that can also shoot 2K video with slow-motion capability. In addition to having a visibly larger and more advanced lens, the camera’s now got a larger focus range, 122-degree field of view, and high-fidelity microphone. (A subscription to Birdbuddy Premium for $70 a year unlocks 2K Ultra with a higher video bit rate, allowing for richer colors, sharper images, and less background noise—plus the ability to set alerts for sick or injured birds, among other things—but it’s perfectly usable without this. )
The photos aren’t nearly as impressive as those by competitors like the Birdfy Pro Duo, Camojojo Hibird, or Kiwibit Beako, and the camera, frustratingly, only captures a small portion of the birds that actually visit. However, Birdbuddy’s app is a consistent standout, with a user-friendly design and plenty of helpful alerts, like if a cat is detected nearby, or if it’s time to clean the feeder.
It also serves you insights gathered over time, like what time certain species seem to prefer to visit. (Finches apparently like to visit my yard at 10 am daily.) The Birdbuddy also “sleeps” at night and does not seem to emphasize capturing photos of people, so it wouldn’t make a good choice to double as a security camera, and there are also unique seasonal features like the ability to send holiday cards or “dress up” visiting birds with hats, glasses, and sweaters. (It is funnier than it sounds, really!) Both Birdbuddys work with 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi only.
Another Birdbuddy downside is the infuriatingly small, hinged opening for filling the 4 cups’ worth of seed. The feeder comes with its own spouted cup, but I have yet to fill the feeder without making an enormous mess. I also tested the 3-in-1 Nutrition Set ($39), which includes a screw-on tray that can variably become a water fountain, jelly dish, or fruit stake for fruit-loving species like orioles. I’ve used it as a jelly dish and water fountain and found that it blocks enough of the perch area that birds tend to shift out of camera view to avoid it. However, this feeder is still worth it for those who like a more streamlined app experience or want to take advantage of some of its unique sharing features, especially Premium’s ability to share your feeder livestream with others.
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