A cellular bird feeder camera brings nature to your smartphone by capturing the beauty and diversity of bird species in your backyard, at your property, or just about anywhere you can place the unit and receive a cell signal. While having a high-quality bird feeder cam is the first step in this process, you’ll need to do some fine-tuning to get stellar images and videos. Here are some tips and tricks to help you attract more birds to your bird feeder and get the most out of your bird feeder camera.

1. Location is Key

Where you place your bird feeder is likely the most important factor in can make a big difference in the number of birds that visit. Birds prefer safe locations where they feel protected from predators. That means you should consider placing your feeder near shrubs or trees, which offer natural cover and perching spots. Birds that feel safe are more likely to visit the feeder regularly.

Avoid placing the feeder too close to windows or reflective surfaces, since birds might accidentally fly into them. Window decals and bird-safe glass can reduce the risk of collisions. If the best place to hang a feeder is near a window, make sure it's either within 3 feet of the window or more than 10 feet away; closer means birds are less likely to be able to build up enough speed and hurt themselves, while more than 10 feet gives them a better chance of seeing the window and not hitting it.

2. Select the Right Bird Food

Different bird species like to munch on different types of food. Offering a variety of foods will increase the number and diversity of birds that visit your feeder–a bird feeder cam with more than one feeding bay is ideal for attracting different types of birds. Popular options include:

  • Black oil sunflower seeds are a favorite for many birds, especially cardinals, chickadees, and finches.
  • Thistle seeds will attract finches and other small birds.
  • Suet is a high-energy food made from animal fat that attracts woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches, and wrens.
  • Peanuts (both shelled and unshelled) will attract jays, crows, magpies, woodpeckers, and titmice.
  • Mealworms are a protein-rich treat loved by starlings, thrushes, and robins.

While it can be convenient to buy one big bag of mix and use that all year long, by rotating different feeds throughout the year you can bring in a much wider variety of birds to your feeder cam. Birds have different diet requirements throughout the year, so think about what's happening during that time—foods with higher fat and protein contents, like suet, nuts, and mealworms, are best during the spring and fall migrations as more energy is needed for travel.

3. Keep Your Feeder Clean

Want to keep your birds happy and healthy? Regularly clean your bird feeder! Dirty feeders can harbor mold, bacteria, and old, stale seeds that make birds sick. Ideally, you should clean your feeders every few weeks with a very mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), then rinse and dry everything thoroughly before refilling.

In addition to cleaning the feeders, clean the surrounding area so it is free of old seed hulls and droppings. If you notice a bird that looks sick on your feeder, clean it, and consider moving it.

4. Give Birds Something to Drink, Too

Birds need water for drinking and bathing, and providing a clean, reliable water source can significantly increase bird activity. This water source can be a birdbath, fountain, or small pond, and it helps capture birds in action.

Just like with your feeder, you should clean your birdbath regularly to prevent the buildup of algae and bacteria. Do you live in a place that gets very cold in the winter? Heated birdbaths can ensure access to water even when temperatures drop.

5. Create a Bird-Friendly Habitat

Habitat matters, especially for birds that rely on cover for protection and augment their diets with natural foods such as berries. To create the ultimate habitat, plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers–these will provide natural food sources, shelter, and nesting sites for your birds. Native plants have the added benefit of providing insects that birds also rely on for food.

6. Be Patient!

Just like when a new restaurant opens, it can take time for birds to find your feeder. Be patient and consistent with refilling your feeders and maintaining your bird-friendly environment. Birds may take a while to discover your feeder, but once they do, they are likely to return regularly. Birds not visiting your feeder as much as you want? You may want to consider changing the location of your feeder or adjusting food type–sometimes, small changes can make a big difference.

7. Optimize Your Camera Setup

Once you have birds visiting your feeder regularly, make sure your camera is set up to capture the best footage possible. Position the camera to get a clear, unobstructed view of the feeder. Adjust the camera’s height and angle to capture birds from different perspectives, and consider using a camera with motion detection to automatically capture footage when birds are present. Lighting is also important for capturing high-quality images and videos. Ensure that the feeder and surrounding area are well-lit, especially during early morning or late afternoon when birds are most active.

8. Observe and Enjoy

Turn those push notifications on and enjoy your wi-fi bird feeder cam! Watching birds interact with your feeder and camera can be incredibly rewarding. Yes, you get great images, but you also can learn more about the birds that visit your yard.

Attracting birds to your bird feeder camera involves thoughtful planning and a bit of patience. Start with the right feeder, then add in a variety of foods, a clean and safe environment, and an optimized camera setup, and you’ll soon create a bird-friendly habitat that offers endless opportunities for observation and photography. Happy birdwatching!