In a few years the app won't work anymore and you're stuck with a 300 dollar paperweight. How much of the garbage that worked with a smartphone app from like 2012 still works?
The bird feeder is first & foremost, a bird feeder. It is a bird feeder with a camera. If the app/camera/whatever stops working, you still have a bird feeder. Is it an expensive bird feeder? Yes, if that's all that you want. For people who enjoy nature, birds in particular, & who happen to be gadget geeks, it's a very cool thing to have. The app is definitely what makes this special, & as the article stated, it has a ways to go with the AI but what they are shooting for & what will be possible as AI gets better, has the makings of something that is both fun & educational.
I also like the ability to see other people's feeders, from around the world. It's awesome to see the different types of birds that they have in Australia, or Germany, or Alaska, eating at the feeder.
I love my Bird Buddy & have a Hummingbird Buddy coming from their second crowd source. When they have a Woodpecker Bird Buddy, I'll get that, too, because I have lots of different birds where I am. But, with the price, I do realize that it is not for the casual birder. If, though, you really love feeding the birds, get a variety, & have the money, I highly recommend it

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If you buy this, don’t bother with the solar panel roof. It is near worthless.
I love the solar panel & would not be without it. Does yours not charge your camera well?
Seventeen bucks; just bought one. Highly recommended. Ceramic and weather-proof, and looks convincingly like rubber even up close. Uncanny and cute. Spending $300 bucks on a birdfeeder with an additional subscription is certifiably insane. Leave the birds be birds and watch them from your house window and appreciate them for what they are.
I think that those of us who are certifiably insane would disagree.