Last updated on December 4th, 2021 at 02:34 pm
Capturing birds on camera is extremely rewarding. It lets you see their behavior up close and identify which birds are coming to your feeders or birdbath, but how effective is a trail camera at picking up birds? Can it do the job?
Trail cameras can pick up birds, but it depends on the motion sensor sensitivity, shutter speed, and camera resolution. Birds are fast and small, and they can only be captured with a camera that registers small, quick movements. Some cameras are sold as specialized bird cameras.
Why Trail Cameras Will Sometimes Capture Birds
Trail cameras are great for watching wildlife, but since they tend to be optimized for larger wildlife like deer, they’re not always great at picking up small animals like birds.
Birds are often too small or too fast for trail cameras to pick up.
Your best bet is to buy a camera specifically made for capturing birds, as these will be designed with bird behavior in mind.
However, you can also find high-quality general trail cameras to do the job if you know what to look for.
Ideally, your camera will have a motion sensor sensitive enough to detect a bird as small as a hummingbird and have the ability to focus on birds that are moving very quickly.
With a camera built for bird-watching, you can capture amazing sights like the Bird Cam footage from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
This collection illustrates the level of detail that the right trail camera or bird camera can bring to you.
Best Wildlife Cameras for Picking Up Birds
To capture birds, you’ll want to look for a camera that has a fast camera, high resolution, and in some cases, slow motion settings.
Each of these features gives you the power to capture bird movements accurately and precisely.
Wingscapes BirdCam Pro
The Wingscapes BirdCam Pro, available on Amazon.com, has a video capture resolution of 720p and a 6-inch focus range, and it’s completely weatherproof.
Where other cameras struggle to capture detail at close range, the Wingscapes BirdCam excels.
You can also use this camera to capture long periods or activate only in response to motion, so you can determine exactly how you want to capture bird life and tailor your footage.
GoPro HERO10 Black
The GoPro HERO10 Black, for sale on Amazon.com, is an extremely versatile camera that you can use for capturing birds.
This action camera is highly durable and weatherproof, and it captures quick movements at a close distance.
You can set up this camera easily and dismantle it quickly, so it makes for a good choice if you want a multipurpose camera that you can use both for birding and other needs.
You can set up this camera with a tripod and access the feed remotely from the GoPro mobile app. You can also turn the camera on remotely with the app.
This camera has 5.3K Ultra HD Video and 23MP Photos, plus it has a live burst mode that records moments 1.5s before and after your shot.
It also has time-lapse video capabilities.
Campark Trail Camera
The Campark Trail Camera, available on Amazon.com, has built-in Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities, and it has 1080P video resolution and a 0.3s motion detection trigger speed.
Its night vision is very clear, and the lens has a wide angle to capture the most footage possible. It’s also waterproof and weatherproof, so it can sit outside in all conditions.
The camera also comes with a strap for easy mounting.
Akaso EK7000 Action Camera
The Akaso EK7000 Action Camera, found on Amazon.com, has 4K Ultra HD resolution and built-in WiFi and HDMI capabilities.
It comes with a mount, a remote control, and a weatherproof case to ensure that the weather doesn’t damage the camera.
This camera is similar to the GoPro but is typically less expensive.
Soliom S90 Pro Outdoor Solar Camera
The Soliom S90 Outdoor Solar Camera from Amazon.com is a wireless, solar-powered and WiFi-enabled camera that captures 1080p full HD video.
It has a 32-foot night vision distance and switches automatically between night and day modes.
This camera makes for an excellent choice if you want a permanent setup. It can stay in place for a long time since it’s rechargeable and wall-mounted.
Just so long as it gets at least 3-5 hours of direct sun each day.
It also needs to be at least 8ft off the ground for optimum performance.
Tips for Setting Up an Effective BirdCam
Consider the following tips before you set up your BirdCam:
- Use night-vision or infrared technology to capture footage after dark. This will disturb the wildlife less than a flash.
- Avoid battery-powered cameras if you can. Returning to the camera often to change batteries increases the chance that you’ll scare away birds and other wildlife.
- Make sure that you have the right hardware in place. Whether you need to run an ethernet wire out to your camera or install a video card powerful enough for a live stream, make sure that everything is in place before setting up the camera. Plotting out a sketch of how and where your system will work may be helpful.
- Never touch or disturb any nests. It may be tempting to get as close to a nest as possible, but just make sure that you do this ethically, without disturbing the nest’s residents.
- Try orienting your camera around feeding birds. This is a great time to capture birds resting for a moment up close, whether it be at your feeders or on a branch where they frequent for a meal. Or, if you have a tripod, you can set it up and sprinkle seeds or nuts on the ground.
- Make sure you’re far enough away to get a clear picture. Usually, your camera will say how close it can focus, but the average trail camera captures images from 12 inches (30.48 cm) away and farther; the best cameras will capture images from 6 inches (15.24 cm) away and farther.
- Avoid fog by using an anti-fog insert. For example, you can add the GoPro Anti-Fog Inserts from Amazon.com to any GoPro to prevent fogging in cold or humid environments. Each one lasts for about four uses.