Smart AI bird feeder ends up attracting pigeons and mice
A Verge writer tested Kiwibit's Bird Feeder 2 Pro, a smart feeder with a camera and AI species recognition, listed at $350 and now $269. Pigeons and mice took it over, and he put the device in a closet.
Thomas Ricker, a writer for the tech site The Verge, has described his experience with the Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 Pro, a smart bird feeder priced at $269 (previously $350). The device has a 4K camera, a solar panel and AI that identifies bird species and sends alerts to a phone. His account suggests such gadgets can draw unwanted visitors as well.
Small birds first
A few weeks after he mounted the feeder in his garden, dozens of small, colorful birds arrived. The app reported species such as the Great Tit and the Eurasian Blue Tit. He recorded crisp 4K HDR video, looked for distinctive markings and read in the app about the birds' migration, nesting and diet. The tits took one pre-husked sunflower seed at a time and flew off to eat it in nearby trees.
Then the pigeons arrived
At one point the app announced a Common Wood Pigeon. The bird was so large it blocked the camera lens. Ricker triggered the feeder's Nuisance Animal Alarm, a feature usually meant for squirrels, but the pigeon was not deterred. It kept eating for about 15 minutes, until he walked outside and chased it off.
Afterwards, pigeons stayed at the feeder for 30 minutes or longer, while mice gathered below to eat the spilled seed. He took the feeder down and put it in a closet.
Conclusion
Ricker stresses that he does not blame the manufacturer, calling the device a joy to use until the pests appeared. He advises anyone considering a smart feeder to start with something simple, cheap and AI-free, since a used feeder cannot be returned just because it attracts pests.
