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The Verge’s Thomas Ricker reports that a Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 Pro initially attracted small birds and identified them through app alerts, but pigeons later monopolized the feeder and mice gathered beneath it. He took the $269 device down, while saying the feeder itself was enjoyable to use and recommending that shoppers start with a simpler, less expensive model.
The Verge’s Thomas Ricker says he took down a $269 Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 Pro after pigeons began dominating the feeding area and mice gathered beneath it. His account describes a smart feeder that initially brought smaller birds to his garden, then became difficult to use as intended—an experience he says should give shoppers reason to start with a basic feeder rather than invest heavily at once.
Ricker writes that he mounted the feeder and, within a few weeks, began receiving AI-generated bird alerts identifying visitors as great tits and Eurasian blue tits. He describes watching the birds in 4K HDR video and using the Kiwibit app to read about their habits and habitats. The feeder included a solar panel and what its product name describes as lifetime AI access.
The change came when a common wood pigeon arrived and obstructed the camera’s view. Ricker activated the feeder’s nuisance-animal alarm, but says the pigeon was not deterred. It continued eating for about 15 minutes, until he went outside and chased it away. He later saw pigeons spend 30 minutes or more at the feeder, with mice feeding on seed that had fallen below.
Ricker says he eventually removed the feeder and put it in a closet. He does not blame Kiwibit, describing the device as enjoyable to use before the pest problem began. His practical advice is to try a simple, inexpensive feeder without AI before buying a more costly smart model. The article does not report a controlled test or establish how often this experience occurs.
Smart Birdwatching Meets Backyard Pests
The account highlights a limit of camera-based bird identification: recognizing a visitor does not prevent it from eating the seed or taking over the feeding area. A smart alert can make birds easier to observe, but the experience described here also depended on which species found the food and whether the feeder’s deterrent worked for them.
For prospective buyers, the report is a reminder that the device’s AI features and video quality do not resolve ordinary feeder problems. A feeder may attract unwanted animals along with the birds its owner hopes to watch. Ricker’s recommendation to start with a cheaper, simpler setup also reflects the practical risk of discovering that a particular feeder does not suit a garden after it has been used.
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From Small Birds to Pigeons
Ricker’s report traces a clear sequence: the feeder first drew small birds, which he watched through its camera and identified through app notifications. He says those early visits prompted him to explore the app’s information about bird behavior. The account is a first-person product experience, not a broad survey of smart feeders or a comparison across models.
The Kiwibit device was listed in the source as the Bird Feeder 2 Pro 4K AI Camera with Solar Panel, with a price shown as $269 after a $350 figure. The source describes an audible nuisance-animal alarm and says Ricker used it when a pigeon arrived. It does not detail the feeder’s settings, installation conditions, or whether changes to seed or placement might have affected the outcome.
“Looks like Great Tit!”
— Kiwibit app alert, as quoted by Thomas Ricker
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How Common Is the Pigeon Problem?
The report documents one reviewer’s experience; it does not establish whether pigeons and mice commonly become problems for Kiwibit owners or smart bird feeders generally. Ricker also could not tell whether the same pigeon returned or multiple pigeons visited. The source gives no independent testing of the alarm’s effectiveness, no manufacturer response, and no evidence about whether feeder placement or other changes would have prevented the animals from returning.
It is also unclear whether the device was returned, whether Ricker plans to use it again, or what specific feeder design would better suit his garden. The account supports a caution about his experience, not a general conclusion that AI feeders attract pests more often than conventional ones.
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A Simpler Feeder Before Spending More
Ricker’s stated advice is to begin with a basic, less expensive feeder without AI before committing to a premium model. Readers considering a smart feeder can compare its price and features with a conventional option and think about the animals already visiting their yard. The report does not identify a follow-up test or a planned response from Kiwibit, so no further product development or investigation is confirmed.
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Key Questions
What happened to the Kiwibit bird feeder?
Thomas Ricker says he removed the feeder after pigeons repeatedly ate from it and mice gathered beneath it to feed on fallen seed.
Did the AI identify the birds?
Ricker reports that app alerts identified early visitors as great tits and Eurasian blue tits, and later identified a common wood pigeon. The source does not independently test the accuracy of those identifications.
Did the nuisance-animal alarm stop the pigeon?
No. Ricker says the pigeon reacted to the audible alarm but kept eating. He eventually went outside and chased it away.
Does this show that AI bird feeders attract pests?
The report describes one person’s experience, not a general study. It does not establish how common the issue is or whether smart feeders attract more pests than standard feeders.
What does the reviewer recommend to shoppers?
Ricker suggests starting with a simple, inexpensive feeder without AI rather than immediately buying a more costly smart model.
Source: rss
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