It’s Peak Season for Bird-Watchers to Spot Migratory Hummingbirds, and Our Favorite Feeder Is on Sale

Though most people associate the beginning of March with the hopefulness of spring and the indignities of daylight saving time, there’s another important event taking place in yards all over the country: hummingbird season.

While many species of hummingbirds can be seen in regions year-round, others are migratory, and this time typically marks their return from wintering grounds in Central and South America. These tiny birds can lose up to 40 percent of their body weight after having flown thousands of miles, and since many flowers haven’t bloomed yet, nectar feeders can be a source of essential fuel.

Though I test smart bird feeders year-round, I don’t use hummingbird feeders as often as I should, as it’s imperative that they be cleaned and refilled with new nectar every two or three days to prevent deadly bacteria and mold (a ratio of 1:4 granulated sugar to water is best, and avoid any dyes or additives), and I don’t always have the time.

But if you are going to invest the energy in maintaining a hummingbird feeder, right now is the best time, as you have a chance to see migratory species you might not otherwise encounter, such as black-chinned hummingbirds. A smart feeder helps you ID them, whether they’re stopping at your feeder on their way north or arriving at their final destination.

Birdbuddy’s Pro is the smart hummingbird feeder I recommend and use myself when I’m not actively testing. The app is easy to navigate and sends cleaning reminders, the built-in solar roof keeps the battery charged, and, unlike other feeders, only the shallow bottom screws off for refilling. No having to pour sticky nectar through a narrow opening or turn a giant cylinder upside down and risk spilling.

Note that it’s not perfect; the sensor is inconsistent and doesn’t capture every hummingbird that visits, but for the camera quality (5-MP photos, 2K video with slow-motion, 122-degree field of view) and ease of use, it’s a foible I’m willing to put up with. If you already have another Birdbuddy feeder, the hummingbird feeder images and videos will integrate seamlessly into your app feed.

Right now, the feeder is 37 percent off on Birdbuddy’s website—a deal I usually don’t see outside of shopping events like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day. Note that the feeder only runs on 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi, and while it is fully functional without a subscription, a Birdbuddy Premium subscription will let you add friends and family members to your account so they can see the birds as well. That’s $99 a year through the app.

Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.