Binoculars or digital cameras may not be the best shots to watch lovely birds in your garden when you are away from home.
And security cameras for bird watching are better solutions.
With such outdoor cameras, you won’t miss a single YouTube-worthy moment of the fluffy birds including breeding, feeding and other least-seen scenes even while sitting at your computer desk.
So, which are the best bird feeder cameras for your yard? What are the can’t-miss bird watching camera features that are worth your investment? What are the best camera settings for bird watching?
Luckily, we have hand-picked the best options below for your reference and included some of the most practical tips to improve bird watching experience at home.
Choosing the Right Cameras for Bird Watching: What to Look for
To capture clear images of the beautiful birds at your garden, high resolution is not the only bird watching camera feature that you need to care about.
Take the following must-have features into account while you are hunting for one:
#1. High Resolution for Outdoor Bird Watching Cameras
When choosing the best video cameras for bird watching, you would never go wrong by picking up one with higher resolution.
Generally speaking, the higher resolution your wildlife cameras have, the sharper bird images and videos they can capture.
The recommended security camera resolution includes 1080p, 4MP, 5MP and even 4K.
With such high definition cameras for bird watching, you are able to each and every feather of the beautiful birds clearly and vividly.
Take a look at the crisp video sample below, which shows a bird feeding itself in front of a ZOSI 5MP outdoor security camera.
#2. Decent Night Vision
Another must-have feature for a bird watching camera is excellent night vision capability.
Equipped with decent night vision, a good camera for bird watching allows you to see everything clearly in low light conditions.
Generally speaking, most security cameras offer night vision images in black and white, which is clear enough for human eyes to differentiate one item from another without other light sources.
Moreover, some top security camera brands also offer bird watching security cameras with starlight image sensors, making it possible for you to watch the beautiful birds in true colors when the night falls.
Here is a color night vision video sample captured by ZOSI C1, a battery-powered starlight outdoor security camera.
#3. Built-in Microphone for Remote Bird Watching Cameras
If you are looking for a live bird watching camera, pick one with a built-in microphone so that you won’t miss the beautiful bird songs.
With the audio enabled, you are able to listen in the natural sounds while watching the lovely birds on the screen.
#4. Capability to Survive the Elements
Besides, the best CCTV cameras for bird watching can also stand guard keenly rain or shine, indoors and outdoors.
To ensure that the cameras you pick survive the elements, select one with IP65+ ratings.
Note that some security camera brands may also offer accessories like junction boxes for you to keep moisture away from the cables and connectors.
#5. Easy Installation
You may believe that the installation work for bird watching cameras in the garden can be a time-sponge task.
Not necessary…if you have chosen garden IP security cameras.
Generally speaking, a PoE outdoor security camera at your garden requires only one cable for both power supply and data transmission.
In terms of WiFi cameras for bird watching, plug them in the nearest power outlets and install them in spots that are within your home WiFi coverage. And they are ready to work!
Hold Up: Skip to part 3 to find a detailed guide on how to set up cameras for bird watching in a breeze.
If you don’t want to bother managing the cables around your home, battery-powered wireless cameras for bird watching are the ideal options.
You may also add solar panels to the battery-powered security cameras, just like this resourceful homeowner does – he hides a ZOSI # battery-powered security camera and a solar panel in a birdhouse!
#6. Sensitive Motion Sensors
Believe it or not:
You can take pictures of the beautiful birds even without hitting the shutter.
Because a bird watching trail camera with a sensitive motion sensor can do your job.
Once such a surveillance camera detects any motion, it will wake up in less than 1 second and start to record immediately. In the meantime, it will send you instant alerts to notify you as well.
So, you can feel free to leave the photography job to a motion-activated birdfeeder camera without waiting for the birds to come around on your own.
Showdown: Check out this post and learn more about how do motion sensors work and capture images.
#7. Remote Viewing Software for Bird Watching Cameras
Another nice-to-have feature for a bird watching video camera is the easy viewing software for mobile phones, PCs or tablets.
For example, some top security camera brands like ZOSI offer official and free app and client for homeowners to view their home security cameras on smartphones and computers at any time, anywhere.
With such software, you are able to see how are the birds doing in your garden and control the cameras for bird watching remotely on the screens while sitting in your living room or traveling a thousand miles away from home.
Top Picks of Bird Watching Security Cameras (Reviews & Videos Included)
Since the options of bird watching cameras abound in the market, it can be a tough task for you to decide which to choose.
That’s where we come in.
Check out the 2 editor’s picks below that deliver the full set of features you would expect from the best video cameras for bird watching.
4G Cellular Wildlife Trail Camera – ZOSI 4G
If you are looking for a bird watching camera for your off-grid properties, 4G wireless battery-powered security cameras like ZOSI 4G will be ideal options.
With a rechargeable battery and 4G connection, this outdoor video camera for bird watching requires no power outlets or cables for power supply and data transmission. So, it is quite easy to set it up even for beginners.
Also, you are able to check the real-time battery usage data via ZOSI app, so you will be notified when this 4G battery-powered security camera is running low on juice.
If you won’t bother to recharge the battery from time to time, add a solar panel to this wireless camera for bird watching so that it can capture birds and other animals around your properties with non-stop power.
Tech Spec:
| Resolution | 1080p |
| Night Vision | Up to 33 feet starlight night vision |
| Audio | 2-way speaker & microphone |
| Field of View | 110° |
| Power Supply | Rechargeable battery, solar panel or 5V/2A power adaptor |
| Data Transmission | 4G cellular data （click here to find the network carriers in your locations) |
| Storage Options | SD card (optional), ZOSI Cloud |
| Weather Resistance | IP65 weatherproof |
| Working Temperature | -10° to 55°C (14° to 131°F) |
| Media Reviews | “The 4G connectivity is a great option for those living in a remote location or who needs to deploy the camera far from their home Wi-Fi network. – TechHive.com“ |
A user puts his ZOSI 4G camera at the campsite and it captures a dancing crane in the woods!
Editor’s Note: If there is a stable WiFi network around your house, take a look at Argus 2, an outdoor WiFi camera for bird watching.
Versatile Outdoor Birdhouse Security Camera – ZOSI #
Outdoor IP security cameras like ZOSI # shall top your list if you are looking for a dual-duty camera for bird watching and home security.
Sporting 5MP high definition and decent night vision, this security camera can record vivid bird videos days and night.
Besides, this PoE IP bird watching camera requires only one Ethernet cable for power supply and data transmission. So, you are able to configure such a CCTV camera in a breeze.
Tech Spec:
| Resolution | 5MP |
| Power Supply | PoE, DC 12V power adapter |
| Data Transmission | PoE |
| Night Vision | Up to 100 feet |
| Audio | Built-in microphone |
| Field of View | Horizontal: 80°, vertical: 58° |
| Storage Options | SD card (optional), FTP server, ZOSI NVR |
| Weather Resistance | IP66 waterproof |
| Working Temperature | -10° to 55°C (14° to 131°F) |
| Media Reviews | “ZOSI’s # performed admirably. Given the system’s design, it seems best suited for serious surveillance of your business, the area around your home, or a remote property. –TechHive.com“ |
A homeowner applies this CCTV camera for bird watching in the front lawn to monitor chickens. Check out how the chickens escaped from the coyote!
Editor’s Note: If you are in the market for the best zoom camera for bird watching, take a look at ZOSI #, an outdoor PoE IP camera with 4X optical zoom.
How to Set Up a Security Camera for Bird Watching: A Step-by-Step Guide
The effort to set up a camera for bird watching may not be as complicated as you imagine.
To help you set up the camera within minutes, we have broken down the whole procedure into understandable and practical chunks.
Let’s get going.
Step 1. Decide Where to Install Bird Watching Cameras
If you want to take a close look at the daily life of lovely birds, then place a security camera inside your birdhouse.
You may also place the camera near a feeder or hide a bird-watching camera inside a birdhouse by drilling a hole at the birdhouse and facing the camera towards the outside of the birdhouse.
For the two cases above, it is best to choose smaller size security cameras like battery-powered ones since they can better fit in the birdhouse and won’t require any power cables.
Also, you may set up surveillance cameras for bird watching outside the birdhouse as well. Ideal installation spots for these security cameras include the front door, back door and places under the eave.
A homeowner installs his battery-powered security camera Argus 2 right next to a nest and it does capture great videos of a bird family! Click here to see how the homeowner sets up the camera (starts from 20:55).
Read More: Check out this post to find the best places for outdoor CCTV cameras.
Step 2. Run Wires for Bird Watching Video Cameras
To provide proper power supply and data transmission channel to bird watching cameras, you may spare some efforts to run the wires and protect them from the elements as well.
Here is how:
#1. Find the shortest cable route before running the wires.
#2. Run the cables along the route that you plan and use conduit, PVC pipes or cable guards to protect the cables from the elements.
#3. Connect one end of the cables to a power outlet or a router and the other end to the camera for bird watching.
Editor’s Tip: Click here to find more practical tips on how to run security camera wires.
Step 3. Set Up Cameras for Bird Watching for Local Access & Remote Viewing
With the installation work done, now you are ready to connect the birdhouse security cameras to a monitor as local access or set them up for remote viewing.
If you want to view cameras for bird watching on TV, download streaming apps on TV or use IP-camera-to-HDMI converters.
Or, you may set up remote viewing so that you can keep tabs on the lovely birds at your garden via smartphones or computers when you are away from home.
And that’s the whole setup process. Easy and practical even for green hands.
Getting the Most Out of Bird Watching Cameras: Practical Tips & Tricks
Setting up the video cameras for bird watching at your garden is only half the story.
Take the following practical tips into account and improve the birding experience at home:
#1. Choose smaller cameras for bird watching. Such compact security cameras can fit in a birdhouse better and appear less noticeable for birds. So, they won’t scare off the birds and other animals around your house.
#2. Use bird-watching cameras as home surveillance cameras as well. Aside from birding, the video cameras can be used to monitor your garden, front yard and front door as well. It is best to choose a brand name motion-activated birdhouse camera if you want to use it for dual purposes.
#3. Livestream bird watching video cameras to your websites or YouTube channel. Instead of viewing the cameras for bird watching on your own, you may also stream your cameras to YouTube or your websites and share the enjoyable moments with the other bird lovers around the world!
We’re Keen to Know Your Ideas!
Are you also planning to set up your own cameras for bird watching? What are the other tips and tricks to capture beautiful birding images you can think of? Share your ideas or even videos captured by your security cameras in the comment section below!