Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 Review: The 4K AI Birdwatcher That Turns Your Backyard Into Must-See TV

The Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 is a solar-powered model with a 4K camera that uses AI to detect and identify birds. If you are even remotely interested or have a friend or family member that is interested in birds, I strongly recommend that you take a look at this device.

Build Quality and Design

The Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 is cleverly designed with a flip-up roof that exposes the pull-out clear plastic seed hoppers. The bottom of the seed holder has a pull-out flap on each side that adjusts the amount of food that drops out as the tray contents are consumed.

The roof features two solar panels that charge a removable, rechargeable battery, which is accessible from the bottom of the unit. This battery can also be charged using the included USB Type-C charging cable from a wall adapter if exterior light sources are not available.

The 1.5L dual-compartment clear plastic seed hoppers straddle a light green colored vertical core that houses the two cameras: one that detects the presence of animals and the other a 4K video and still camera.

The unit features a separate perch that is attached to the base of the feeder. The seed tray is perforated and easily removable for cleaning. The feeder measures 11.3” high by 7.1” wide and 8.7” deep and weighs 3.9 lbs.

What’s in the box:

• Smart Bird Feeder
• Built-in Solar Panel Roof
• Perch
• Wall Mount Bracket
• Pole Mount Bracket
• Strap
• Drill Positioning Sticker
• Screw Pack
• USB Type-C Charging Cable

Set-Up and Installation

The Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 arrives partially disassembled, requiring users to attach the perch and decide how and where to install it. I first tried using the wall mount bracket and attaching it to a tree. Although this looked great, it provided way too easy access for squirrels, and I quickly realized that mounting on a pole would be best in my backyard.

Luckily, the Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 ships with a few options, including a pole mount and a strap. I opted for the pole mount; since a pole is not included in the kit, I visited my local hardware store for a wooden pole and a short length of PVC tubing. I stained and polyurethaned the pole and spray-painted the PVC a mottled dark gray color. I then attached the feeder to the pole using the mount and inserted the pole into the PVC, which I had pounded into the ground.

This entire procedure was quick and easy and resulted in a sharp-looking installation.

Performance

I was expecting that the Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 might be a bit of fun and that, once in a while, we might catch a shot of some random bird in my yard, which, although often visited by birds, also has a dog as well as dogs in neighboring yards. In reality, we got a constant stream of sightings with sharp, detailed photos and short video clips.

Each visit is screened, identified, and grouped, and depending on the user’s notification settings, can trigger an alert. The default settings also send alerts for “nuisance animals,” aka squirrels, but I was receiving so many that I disabled this alert.

The 5200 mAh battery is typically charged by the 4.4W solar panels that are built into the roof. If for some reason the solar panels are not able to produce enough power to charge the battery, it can be charged via a wall adapter as previously mentioned which I have had to do once, not because of a lack of sunlight, but because the squirrels not only eat the bird seed regularly, but also open the hopper chutes fully and disconnect the charging cable from the solar panels. I wish that I were kidding. I’m not sure how they know what to do. Perhaps it’s just more of an unplug and open everything mentality.

In any case, the squirrel issue had to be addressed, especially as they have now started gnawing on the feeder itself. We had heard that using Crisco on the supporting pole makes it difficult for them to climb. It is true and mostly effective, but a few squirrels have managed to get through anyway. I have now ordered and am awaiting delivery of a squirrel baffle that attaches to the pole.

However cute and annoying they are, squirrels are not central to the story of this product. The entire process is well-designed and works solidly. From detection to still and video photography, to the AI identification and sorting, and presentation in the app, the feeder is fun to interact with. Every member of my family downloaded the app and is tracking birds in our backyard. I have never been much of a bird watcher, but this device makes it so easy and fun that it is hard to ignore.

According to Kiwibit, the advanced AI identification recognizes more than 10,000 species with real-time app notifications. Everything is captured on the 4K Ultra HD camera, which features an 8MP sensor and F2.8 glass lens.

The feeder has an IP65 rating and is designed to operate in a temperature range of -4F to 122F.

Kiwibit App

The free Kiwibit app is what makes the feeder so much fun. Users simply download and install the app, create an account, and pair it with the bird feeder via their Wi-Fi network. I ran into no issues getting the app to work, and once it started, I began receiving notifications immediately.

The app automatically logs, categorizes, and sorts birds by species and displays them in order of last seen, and lists the total number of visits by species. Thus far, my feeder has seen nine bird species, with Northern Cardinals being the most active with 655 visits and the Common Grackle being the shyest with just a single visit.

Clicking on any bird photo will drill down to the screen that shows all recorded visits by that species of bird. Further, clicking one of the images on the subpages opens the full-resolution photo with options to share, download, or view in Activity, which links to a 10-second video clip of that bird.

The app also has a settings page where users can control various features, add devices, and Link to Alexa, amongst other options.

When the Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 first arrived, it was priced at $296.99, plus an $80 annual subscription. Although I want to endorse this product thoroughly, I was having doubts that that price may not deter many potential buyers. I am very happy to say that the feeder is now available for $179.99 with AI by subscription, or $229.99 with a lifetime AI subscription. I would strongly recommend that the $229.99 version is the best deal.

The Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 sells for $179.99 without the AI subscription and $229.99 with a lifetime AI subscription; and is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer-supplied review sample

What I Like: Great photos and video clips; Clever design; Solar and weatherproof; The $229.99 version with the included lifetime AI is an affordable option

What Needs Improvement: Nothing