Based on my hands-on experience with the Soliom Humbirdy Smart Hummingbird Feeder Camera, I recommend it to anyone interested in capturing close-up photos and videos of hummingbirds in their yard.
It can also recognize the hummingbird’s species using the AI feature. Although it accurately identified the ruby-throated hummingbirds in my yard, since Wisconsin only has this species, I cannot confirm its capability to identify other hummingbird species.
The photo and video quality is clear and the unique feeder/camera design enables the hummers to get very close for impressive detail. And, the birds love it! They had no apprehension when approaching and sipping nectar from it. I was surprised at how long they stayed.
I’ve been a backyard birder for over 25 years, and about 5 years ago, I began using bird feeder cameras to enhance my understanding of their feeding behaviors. Now, I have cameras placed around my yard to observe them at feeders, birdhouses, and wherever they may be.
Buying Guide: What To Look For When Buying A Bird Feeder Camera
Many features and options are found in bird feeder cameras. After sifting through the long list of details, I identified a few important factors for backyard birders.
- Weather-Resistant
- Good Image Quality
- Wireless Connectivity
- Easy to Set Up
- Easy to View Images
- Easy to Clean
- Motion Detection
- Long Battery Life
- Accurate ID
I created a complete Buying Guide, along with supporting details about each feature, which can be found later in this article. Click here to see it now.
But first, the Soliom Humbirdy review…
Soliom BF10 Humbirdy Hummingbird Smart Feeder Review
I set up the Soliom Humbirdy in my yard and tested the device. This is what I learned.
Video Captured by the Humbirdy in my yard
I love the close-ups the Humbirdy captures of the tiny fliers. Below is a montage of videos I captured in my yard with this feeder.
Soliom Humbirdy & the Key Factors
I compared the Soliom Humbirdy against the key factors I identified in the Buying Guide and determined the device meets all the key factors. Here’s the detail:
| Key Factor | Does the Humbirdy Meet the Key Factor? |
|---|---|
| Weather-Resistant | Yes, the Humbirdy has an IP rating of 65 and it did a great job standing up to the rain and wind in my yard. |
| Good Image Quality | Yes. The video images are close-up, clear, and very detailed. See the video I captured. |
| Wireless Connectivity | Yes, the Soliom connects via Wi-Fi. |
| Easy to Set Up | Yes, installing the feeder itself was a breeze. The user manual included is easy to follow and doesn’t require any translating (trust me, this is a big plus!). Soliom Humbirdy works with the Soliom Pro smartphone app. In a few minutes, I had the app installed, the camera paired with the app, and configured to begin detecting & recording images of the hummers. |
| Easy to View Images | Playing back the images was also easy and intuitive. I was happy to have the user manual to look up detailed app questions. The user manual also lists a customer service phone number and email for further support. |
| Easy to Clean | Yes. The Humbirdy is very easy to clean properly. The camera is removable and the pieces come apart in a snap so you can submerge the feeder parts in soapy water to scrub away nasty buildup. Soliom advises you can also run it through the dishwasher, but I haven’t tried it. The plastic material can also be soaked in a 1:9 bleach-water solution for 10 minutes to fully eliminate bacteria. (Always rinse fully before refilling). |
| Motion Detection | Yes, the app notifies you via your smartphone when a hummer is detected at the feeder. Since the feeder hangs from a hook, a breezy day can result in quite a few false positives. When I set it up again in spring I plan to devise a way to secure it from swinging. |
| Long Battery Life | The feeder was in my yard for a couple of months and did not need a recharge. I consider this a win since I had a lot of activity at my feeder. Multiple birds came to it throughout the day, every day! |
| Accurate ID | I live in Wisconsin where there’s only one species of hummer in the area – the ruby-throated hummingbird. The feeder was able to correctly identify it each time. Soliom offers a 30-day trial period to use the AI feature. If you want to continue using it after that you are required to subscribe. The base subscription was less than $3/month at the time of writing. |
The Humbirdy also meets some of the optional factors
| Optional Factor | Does the Humbirdy Meet the Optional Factor? |
|---|---|
| Price | A subscription is not required to use the feeder but you do need it if you want to use the AI bird identification feature beyond the 30-day trial period. The subscription also enables you to store images in the cloud long-term. |
| Solar-Powered | Yes, Soliom offers an optional solar panel for an additional fee. If you live in a sun-filled part of the country it may be worth the investment. |
| Audio | Yes, you can hear sounds from the birds. |
| Notifications | Yes, the app can be configured to notify you when a bird is detected. |
| Subscription is NOT Required | A subscription is not required to use the feeder but you do need it if you want to use the AI bird identification feature beyond the 30-day trail period. The subscription also enables you to store images in the cloud long-term. |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Below are screenshots of the Soliom Pro app:
What I like about the Soliom Humbirdy
In addition to the feeder meeting all the key factors laid out in my buying guide:
- I love that the hummingbirds love it! No matter where I placed it in my yard, the hummers found it and took their time while feeding from it.
- Since the design supports only nectar, no bird seed or other foods are flying around plugging up the nectar holes.
- The feeder came with a friendly user manual. I’ve tested many smart bird feeders and my biggest complaint is the documentation is horrible. With other feeders, the information lacks organization, the info is lacking, and/or the language is poor English making it nearly impossible to understand. That’s not the case with the Soliom.
- The user manual explains the feeder and smartphone app in detail. Even the least tech-savvy person can benefit from this document.
- Rather than taking a security camera and sticking it inside a feeder, the company appears to have taken steps to understand its target market – backyard birders. The feeder is designed to be easy to clean (a BIG deal in my book) and leak-proof to prevent ant and bee infestation (a leading cause for hummingbirds to avoid a feeder).
About The Company: Soliom
Soliom has been around since 2017 with a primary focus on home security cameras. Their camera expertise enabled them to naturally move into the bird feeder camera market where they currently offer a handful of options. This article is specific to the hummingbird feeder known as the Humbirdy.
The Humbirdy BF10 is the first generation of the smart hummingbird feeder.
The Verdict
I recommend the Soliom Humbirdy for anyone who wants to see the tiny fliers up close and/or identify the species. It meets all the key factors for a smart bird feeder, and the video and photos are up-close, clear, and impressive!
I even recommend the feeder even if you only have one species of hummingbird in your yard. In Wisconsin, we only get the Ruby-throated hummingbird but being able to observe its behavior up close was worth it.
I do not recommend the Soliom Humbirdy if you want to feed the hummers and observe from afar but have no interest in viewing them up close, capturing them on video, or identifying the species.
Since I only have one species in my area, the ruby-throated, I couldn’t fully assess the AI feature.
Ideal for you if you want to capture super close images of hummingbirds and the AI technology to identify the hummingbird species.
Buying Guide: Key Factors for Choosing a Bird Feeder Camera
| Key Factor | Why It’s Key |
|---|---|
| Weather-Resistant | So the rain, snow, and wind don’t destroy it. Look for an IP rating of 65 or better. |
| Good Image Quality | So you’re able to see the species of bird and what it’s doing. Look for HD video with 1080p. |
| Wireless Connectivity | So you don’t have to run ugly outdoor approved extension cords to the bird feeder. |
| Easy to Set Up | So you can start enjoying the birds quickly rather than studying the installation manual. |
| Easy to View Images | So you can easily navigate and use the app without bothering your teenager every time you want to see what the birds have been up to. Look for a camera with a smartphone app to view images from anywhere vs one that stores images on a memory device (SD card or jump drive). Memory devices require you to retrieve the memory device before viewing. |
| Easy to Clean | So you can be a responsible birder by ensuring your feeder is free from bacteria that can make birds sick. Homemade nectar (sugar water) is notorious for growing mold quickly so the feeder must be easy to clean as you’ll need to clean it often. |
| Motion Detection | So you’re only capturing images when a hummingbird is on the feeder which saves on power and time when you want to go back and view the recordings. |
| Long Battery Life | So you’re not constantly bringing the feeder in for a recharge. |
| Accurate ID | So your investment in a “smart” feeder is worth it. |
Optional Factors for Choosing a Bird Feeder Camera
Depending on your personal preferences or circumstances, I identified a few optional factors you may want to consider as well.
| Key Factor | Why It’s Key |
|---|---|
| Price | Because we don’t all have a money tree in the backyard. |
| Solar-Powered | So you can save money on batteries. |
| Audio | Because you want to hear what your feathered friends are tweeting. |
| Notifications | Because you want to see what was happening at your feeder moments ago. |
| Subscription is NOT Required | To save you money. |
| Warranty | To safeguard your purchase. |
Conclusion
To sum it up, the Soliom Humbirdy Smart Hummingbird Feeder is a great pick for capturing close-up hummingbird moments in your yard. It’s good in key areas like weather resistance, image quality, and easy setup. Plus, it can identify hummingbird types using AI. Whether you have one or many hummingbird types, the Humbirdy lets you watch them up close.
For bird fans who want an up-close experience and clear pictures, the Humbirdy is a top choice. But if you’re just into watching from afar without close-ups or species IDs, it might not be the best fit. Overall, it’s a handy tool for backyard birdwatchers, making hummingbird watching even more enjoyable.
What do you think? Is the Humbirdy something you’d use? Why or why not? Leave your comment below!
