Great post Nate! I’ve had great success with the spicy bird food as well.
Feathersnap sent me a feeder also, your review will be a tough one to follow. I’m interested in smart feeders as an embodiment of wildlife voyeurism—something that has always interested me (former trail cam junkie).I have no preexisting experience with smart feeders, though used to leave a go pro in a tray feeder. Thank you for your work!
I'm interested to hear about your own experience with the feeder. Minor glitches aside, it has a lot of potential beyond just sending bird photos to our phones. And yeah, people have been pointing lenses at feeders for a long time. Nice to have it all packaged together!
Love that you admit to losing "TUesday". obsession and wonder will do that. I meant to ask: did you personally see the silver fox? You may have it I will take Gere.
I have one from Birdfy; its wooden & Dad attached it to the side of our house. The sound was fun when we were out west because the friend taking care of the house left me messages. I had to turn off notifications because I was getting so many. Great fun to see the birds flying away!
Nice review! I have the OG smart feeder, the Bird Buddy, which I got off their Kickstarter. Mine does have the option to ignore certain species, and you can turn off notifications. It also gives fun facts on the various birds that visit. I don't have as much variety as you will probably get - I think I've gotten 15 species or so on the smart feeder so far (and no, the Evening Grosbeaks aren't one of them, hence my suggestion to position a platform feeder in view of the camera!). The novelty has worn off a little bit, but it's still a nice diversion to get a notification in the middle of my workday to stop and look at some birds. :-)
Next time a big irruptive year is forecast, I’ll definitely configure it so it can see the smart feeder! When did you get your Bird Buddy? Curious how long this tech has been out there
They launched their Kickstarter in late 2020 but I only got mine in 2023. They've had a lot of updates and keep adding new features. It was very expensive (especially as a Canadian) but it was during my "retail therapy as a coping mechanism" phase of the pandemic.
Only a matter of time until technology advances enough that we never have to look at a bird again!!
Jokes aside, this is a great review. I’ve always been skeptical of these feeders, but I have to admit, the idea of never missing a bird is pretty tempting. It’s surprising that the option to filter notifications by species isn’t already a feature—maybe they know their bird ID tech isn’t quite there yet and don’t want to be responsible for anyone missing out on a coveted bird lol
I'm telling you, if this thing picks up a rare bird and I'm in another state, I'm going to have a real crisis. Would it have been better not to know? These are the questions that keep me up at night.
I'm sure that kind of filter is just a few lines of code away from happening, but even as-is, I'm getting a kick out of it.
This was a really good review. I’ve been shopping around (at my leisure) for a smart feeder to buy sometime this year, and I’ll be adding this one to the list to consider. Please keep us updated about it in the long run, how it lasts, etc. My main concern is the feeder getting destroyed by the squirrels. They already destroyed two normal tube feeders and I had to move to metal ones.
Thank you, Aria! Ugh. Relentless squirrels. They do a number on things for sure, esp the chipmunks...holy cow. I will certainly keep you all posted on the feeder! So far the spicy feed has REALLY worked. I'm so curious about how hot it is.
Interesting feeder, Nathaniel! That footage of the White-breasted Nuthatch selecting a seed and flying off is really crisp and clear. Be sure to enter the Gray-hooded Baldpate in e-bird for your location to be credited with the sighting. ;)
Very interesting. 5/5 on the review. When this clever company refines this appealing machine just a bit, this avid, retired, and free follower will consider. First and foremost, this moves Birding with Billbow to next on my list of paid subscriptions to make room for in my budget. Now, if they could clone the author, or you could obtain exclusive distribution......a position on the board......ROFLMAO! Thanks for another fun read and FFT in the middle of a sleepless night.
Ahhh thank you, Gary. Your readership is always valued, and I'm glad I could give you a few minutes of entertainment in the night. Thank you for making me chuckle in return :)
The feeder really is neat and will only get better as they iron out the kinks. I'll post periodic updates on how it's going.
In the meantime, better luck sleeping tonight and tomorrow night, etc, etc!
I'll be watching your posts closely. Glad you got a chuckle:) and thank you for wishing me well with this sinus issue.
I had sinus surgery 02/05 for what they (my cardio guy and his referral ENT thought was a polyp in my right maxillary sinus cavity). After a full head and neck CT, followed by a sinus CT, the ENT operated and found no polyp, only massive sinus infection (for which I had zero previous symptoms). Go figure...now I'm miserable.
I really like the Smart Feeder, as I am a gadget/IT guy from way back. I love the squirrels, but they are pesky. Very nice to hear from you.
This is just the thing for gadget guy. It's THE birding gadget. I'm really curious to see how these devices evolve. There's tons of potential to be unlocked.
That sounds awful, but I'm glad they found the cause and can treat accordingly. Hopefully the infection calms down soon. One thing I really value more and more as I age (and seem to get less) it's sleep.
Great post Nate! I’ve had great success with the spicy bird food as well.
Feathersnap sent me a feeder also, your review will be a tough one to follow. I’m interested in smart feeders as an embodiment of wildlife voyeurism—something that has always interested me (former trail cam junkie).I have no preexisting experience with smart feeders, though used to leave a go pro in a tray feeder. Thank you for your work!
Thanks James!!
I'm interested to hear about your own experience with the feeder. Minor glitches aside, it has a lot of potential beyond just sending bird photos to our phones. And yeah, people have been pointing lenses at feeders for a long time. Nice to have it all packaged together!
I live in the country with plenty of woods around. It would be nice to test drive one as well!
@Feathersnap
It’s such a fun feeder. Enjoy it when I’m out of town especially :)
Love that you admit to losing "TUesday". obsession and wonder will do that. I meant to ask: did you personally see the silver fox? You may have it I will take Gere.
I didn't see the silver fox, but then again, I didn't write that article. That was by my friend Holly, a terrific local writer/birder!
Ah a test of my attention. Lol
I have one from Birdfy; its wooden & Dad attached it to the side of our house. The sound was fun when we were out west because the friend taking care of the house left me messages. I had to turn off notifications because I was getting so many. Great fun to see the birds flying away!
Nice review! I have the OG smart feeder, the Bird Buddy, which I got off their Kickstarter. Mine does have the option to ignore certain species, and you can turn off notifications. It also gives fun facts on the various birds that visit. I don't have as much variety as you will probably get - I think I've gotten 15 species or so on the smart feeder so far (and no, the Evening Grosbeaks aren't one of them, hence my suggestion to position a platform feeder in view of the camera!). The novelty has worn off a little bit, but it's still a nice diversion to get a notification in the middle of my workday to stop and look at some birds. :-)
Next time a big irruptive year is forecast, I’ll definitely configure it so it can see the smart feeder! When did you get your Bird Buddy? Curious how long this tech has been out there
They launched their Kickstarter in late 2020 but I only got mine in 2023. They've had a lot of updates and keep adding new features. It was very expensive (especially as a Canadian) but it was during my "retail therapy as a coping mechanism" phase of the pandemic.
My favorite (besides the Gray-hooded Baldpate, of course) is the Chickadee. I had no idea they looked like that from that angle. It's so cute!!!
Possibly THE cutest. And smartest. And overall bestest.
Can't beat the Gray-hooded Baldpate, though!
I love you best too, 🐦⬛🪑
Only a matter of time until technology advances enough that we never have to look at a bird again!!
Jokes aside, this is a great review. I’ve always been skeptical of these feeders, but I have to admit, the idea of never missing a bird is pretty tempting. It’s surprising that the option to filter notifications by species isn’t already a feature—maybe they know their bird ID tech isn’t quite there yet and don’t want to be responsible for anyone missing out on a coveted bird lol
Thank you!
I'm telling you, if this thing picks up a rare bird and I'm in another state, I'm going to have a real crisis. Would it have been better not to know? These are the questions that keep me up at night.
I'm sure that kind of filter is just a few lines of code away from happening, but even as-is, I'm getting a kick out of it.
This was a really good review. I’ve been shopping around (at my leisure) for a smart feeder to buy sometime this year, and I’ll be adding this one to the list to consider. Please keep us updated about it in the long run, how it lasts, etc. My main concern is the feeder getting destroyed by the squirrels. They already destroyed two normal tube feeders and I had to move to metal ones.
Thank you, Aria! Ugh. Relentless squirrels. They do a number on things for sure, esp the chipmunks...holy cow. I will certainly keep you all posted on the feeder! So far the spicy feed has REALLY worked. I'm so curious about how hot it is.
Interesting feeder, Nathaniel! That footage of the White-breasted Nuthatch selecting a seed and flying off is really crisp and clear. Be sure to enter the Gray-hooded Baldpate in e-bird for your location to be credited with the sighting. ;)
The Gray-hooded Baldpate is the one rarity that deters people rather than attracts them. Thanks for reading, Neil!
Very interesting. 5/5 on the review. When this clever company refines this appealing machine just a bit, this avid, retired, and free follower will consider. First and foremost, this moves Birding with Billbow to next on my list of paid subscriptions to make room for in my budget. Now, if they could clone the author, or you could obtain exclusive distribution......a position on the board......ROFLMAO! Thanks for another fun read and FFT in the middle of a sleepless night.
Ahhh thank you, Gary. Your readership is always valued, and I'm glad I could give you a few minutes of entertainment in the night. Thank you for making me chuckle in return :)
The feeder really is neat and will only get better as they iron out the kinks. I'll post periodic updates on how it's going.
In the meantime, better luck sleeping tonight and tomorrow night, etc, etc!
I'll be watching your posts closely. Glad you got a chuckle:) and thank you for wishing me well with this sinus issue.
I had sinus surgery 02/05 for what they (my cardio guy and his referral ENT thought was a polyp in my right maxillary sinus cavity). After a full head and neck CT, followed by a sinus CT, the ENT operated and found no polyp, only massive sinus infection (for which I had zero previous symptoms). Go figure...now I'm miserable.
I really like the Smart Feeder, as I am a gadget/IT guy from way back. I love the squirrels, but they are pesky. Very nice to hear from you.
Gary
This is just the thing for gadget guy. It's THE birding gadget. I'm really curious to see how these devices evolve. There's tons of potential to be unlocked.
That sounds awful, but I'm glad they found the cause and can treat accordingly. Hopefully the infection calms down soon. One thing I really value more and more as I age (and seem to get less) it's sleep.