Smart bird feeders start at $110 as early Black Friday deals begin

Early Black Friday promotions have lowered the cost of smart bird feeders from Birdfy and Kiwibit. Prices for the featured models now start at $110 and go up to $170. A Wired reviewer who has tested these devices for years recommends them for holiday gifting or personal use.

Smart feeders have been available to consumers since 2020. Modern versions include high-resolution cameras and 4K video recording. They also feature AI bird identification that rarely makes errors. Most units require minimal maintenance beyond refilling seed, provided they are installed using the 5-7-9 rule for pole mounts to keep squirrels away.

The top recommendation is the original Birdfy feeder with a solar panel. It is listed at $127, a 29 percent discount. This price applies only to the blue version; the yellow model costs $13 more. The reviewer notes that while other brands like Camojojo offer higher-megapixel cameras, they often come with unreliable apps or paywalled features. The Birdfy is described as the best choice for a dependable feeder with an easy app and no major features locked behind a subscription.

The Birdfy solar panel mounts separately. A version without the solar panel costs $110. The reviewer advises paying the extra $17 for the solar option, citing the reliability of Birdfy panels and the convenience of not needing to bring the feeder indoors for charging. The unit supports only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and includes a two-year warranty.

The Kiwibit Feeder 2 with a solar roof is also on sale for $170, representing a 29 percent discount. This is not the company's newest model, the Feeder 2 Pro, which costs $220. The reviewer calls the standard Feeder 2 exceedingly well designed and notes this is the lowest price seen for it. The 1.5-liter seed hopper is split to hold two types of feed and lifts out by a handle on top, allowing refills without removing the entire feeder.

The Feeder 2 captures 8-megapixel photos and 4K video, a quality rated as top-tier at this price point. The solar roof maintained charge in various weather conditions during testing. The app functions without a Kiwibit Plus subscription, although more features are moving behind the paywall. The feeder works only on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and has a one-year warranty.

A third deal is the Kiwibit 4K Feeder with auxiliary solar, priced at $140, a 26 percent discount. It uses the same camera and hardware as the Feeder 2 but lacks the built-in solar roof. The included 3-watt solar panel can be mounted on the back of the wall mount. This option allows buyers to save $30 while retaining Kiwibit's build quality and image resolution.