Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 Pro Review: Premium but Paywalled

Kiwibit, a company known for its smart bird feeders, has released a new model called the Feeder 2 Pro. This feeder is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Feeder 2, which already boasted a robust plastic body, removable dual-sided seed reservoir, and three-minute video captures. The new model features a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) camera and offers 4K HDR video.

The subscription tier, Kiwibit Plus, costs $90 a year and provides AI ID, 60-day cloud recording, and new gallery views. This subscription removes the need to manually identify and sort bird images, which can be a cumbersome task given the feeder's relatively high price tag of $290. However, the subscription also comes with its own set of issues. The AI ID is often incorrect, identifying species that are not native to the user's location, such as fish crows in Washington state.

The non-subscription tier still provides decent video quality and allows for the download and sharing of images and videos, although without the AI ID feature. The PDAF feature in the camera helps minimize blur and ensures sharp images. However, there have been instances where motion from the lens zooming in and out was clocked by birds, potentially spooking them.

Despite the subscription issues, the Feeder 2 Pro is praised for its camera capabilities. Ultra HD stills can be downloaded in different aspect ratios, with or without a watermark identifying the species. This is a unique feature that sets it apart from competitors. The feeder also comes with an IP65 water-resistant design and a removable 5,200-mAh battery for added convenience.

Overall, the Feeder 2 Pro offers high-quality stills and footage, rivaling that of a budget action camera, making it a strong contender in the smart feeder market.