Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars
Waterproof 8x42 birding binoculars with BaK-4 prisms, a wide 388-foot field of view and a 6.5-foot close focus - the classic first serious pair.
$148.99Check it out
Tech & Gadgets
Birdbuddy 2 Smart Feeder — backyard birds, photographed and named for him
Birdbuddy 2 Smart Bird Feeder with Camera
Reviewed by the WhyToBuyThis team · Updated September 2026 · How we choose
Perfect for
- Backyard bird lovers
- Retirees
- Sharing with grandkids
- Splurge gift
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This won't cost you anything extra.
- Great gift ideaChosen for real-world gifting
- Hand-pickedCurated, not scraped
- Honest reviewThe catch, not just the hype
Why this gift works
A bird feeder with a camera built into the front. When a bird lands, the camera catches it, the Birdbuddy app identifies the species with AI, and the photos and clips arrive on his phone. This second-generation model adds two built-in solar panels to top up the battery and a microphone for recording birdsong, and the camera can be set for portrait or landscape shots.
For a man who already notices the cardinals on the fence, it turns a quiet habit into a daily collection he can share with the grandkids. It is the most expensive pick in this guide, and the one most likely to become part of his morning.
Who is this gift for?
Great for
- A man who already keeps a feeder by the kitchen window
- A grandfather who wants a daily excuse to message the family
Think twice if
- His Wi-Fi does not reach the yard
- He does not use a smartphone
- Squirrels already rule his yard
The catch
It needs a steady Wi-Fi signal where the feeder hangs and a smartphone for the app, and the tray suits small songbirds better than big ones. Squirrels will find it too, so pick the spot with that in mind.
Skip if his Wi-Fi does not reach the yard, or if he does not use a smartphone - without the app it is just an expensive feeder.
Worth knowing before you buy
- It connects over Wi-Fi and works through the Birdbuddy app.
- It suits small songbirds better than big birds.
- An optional paid membership adds extra features.
Why we like it
- Photos of every visitor, sent to his phone
- Names the species, so he learns them as he goes
- Solar panels cut down on trips up the ladder to charge it
- Easy to share sightings with the grandkids
Questions people ask
Birdbuddy offers an optional paid membership with extra features. The listing and the Birdbuddy site explain what the free app covers, so check that before you buy.
Featured in these gift guides
- Gifts for Bird Watchers, from Backyard to Birding TrailGifts for bird watchers: Celestron and Vortex binoculars, the Sibley field guide, a window feeder, a squirrel-proof feeder and a Birdbuddy camera feeder.
- 80th Birthday Gifts They Will Use and Treasure80th birthday gift ideas for him or her: a photo frame the family fills, a life-story journal, TV headphones, a Kindle, a heated massager and more.
- 60th Birthday Gifts for Men and Women Just Getting Started60th birthday gift ideas for him or her: a star map of their birth night, a Kindle, an Ember mug, a massage gun, travel gear and more - each with the catch.
More gifts they'll like
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Two small window-mounted hummingbird feeders with three ports and a perch each - hummingbirds hovering right at the glass.
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Nature Anywhere Window Bird Feeder
A clear feeder that sticks to the outside of a window with four strong suction cups - birds up close from the couch, no yard needed.
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Nature's Way Cedar Bluebird Box House
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The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America (2nd Edition)
David Sibley's field guide to 650 species east of the Rockies, with 4,600-plus paintings and 600-plus range maps - the book birders actually carry.
$13.29Check it out
Brome Squirrel Buster Plus Bird Feeder
The feeder squirrels can't beat: their weight closes the feeding ports. Holds 5.1 lb of seed with six ports and a cardinal ring.
$125.00Check it out
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