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Bird Buddy Reviews Examined: Is It Worth The Investment For Feathered Friends?

The Bird Buddy smart feeder is available in two options: a hopper-style seed feeder or a nectar feeder for hummingbirds (available for pre-order). Both options include a weather-protected high-definition camera that uses motion activation to take pictures and videos when birds visit the feeder. The Bird Buddy differs from lower-priced smart feeders because it has AI technology that will automatically identify each bird species and send you a labeled photo called a postcard in the accompanying app. This allows you to build a library of the different species of birds that visit your feeder over time.

Once the Bird Buddy identifies a bird species, it will provide you with information about the bird and even a sample recording of its song. You can also play a gamified mode in the app that will allow you to unlock and collect bird species. There are several accessories available for the feeders, including a water fountain, holders for suet or fruit, and a solar roof for charging the battery without removing it. The original feeder itself is currently priced at $239 or $299 with the solar roof included. The accessories — including the solar roof — sell for prices ranging from $19 to $99 on the Bird Buddy website. You can even add a perch extender for larger birds which can also serve squirrels, if you're ready to give up on keeping squirrels out of your bird feeders for good.

What's promised? Bird Buddy features

If you're an avid bird watcher or just someone who enjoys the benefits of having a bird feeder in your yard, you may have heard of Bird Buddy, the smart bird feeder that records videos of birds who stop by for a snack. You might have even looked into the product enough to know that there are now other smart feeders on the market with much lower price points. So, are there any specific advantages to investing in the Bird Buddy over the cheaper competitors? What's included when you make the purchase? What are verified purchasers saying about their experience?

We've studied Bird Buddy's features and scoured reviews from verified purchasers to determine if this innovative feeder lives up to the hype. If you're a budding ornithologist, we think this feeder is a neat tool to help you learn about your backyard birds. But ultimately you will need to decide if the price tag for this video-capturing bird feeder is worth your hard-earned cash.

What people are saying

When it comes to online feedback generated by the Bird Buddy, the buzz seems to be mixed — but more positive than negative. The original feeder has a 4.1-star rating on Amazon. According to the retailer's AI-generated summary of reviews, purchasers of the feeder appreciate the image quality it offers, as well as its well-built structure and educational nature. When it comes to individual reviews, most buyers seem to agree with these themes and are happy with their purchase.

One verified purchaser raved, "I got this for my husband, but once installed it has been a joy for all of us. Very easy to put together and fill. Zero issues with the really useful app. The pictures they send are great, and they identify the birds, so we are learning all about them." When it comes to negative reviews, most seem to center around the Bird Buddy's battery life, difficulties with setting up the app, and its difficult-to-read indicator light. Overall, if you have a couple hundred dollars you can comfortably part with, are fairly tech-savvy, and seek to attract more songbirds to your yard, there's a good chance you won't be disappointed by the Bird Buddy. 

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