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The Verge reporter Thomas Ricker says a Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 Pro initially brought small birds to his garden, then attracted pigeons that ate the seed and mice that gathered below. He eventually removed the feeder and recommends starting with a simpler, less expensive model.
The Verge’s Thomas Ricker says he removed a Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2 Pro after pigeons began monopolizing its seed and mice arrived to eat what fell below. His account describes a practical drawback for people considering a connected feeder: a camera and animal alerts can identify visitors, but they do not necessarily keep unwanted animals away.
Ricker writes that small birds began visiting his garden within weeks of mounting the feeder. The device sent phone alerts identifying birds such as a Great Tit and a Eurasian Blue Tit. He watched them in 4K HDR recordings and used the Kiwibit app to read about their habits, nesting and food.
The experience changed when a Common Wood Pigeon arrived and blocked the camera’s view. Ricker activated the feeder’s Nuisance Animal Alarm, a sound feature intended for animals such as squirrels. He says the pigeon reacted briefly, then continued eating. After about 15 minutes, he went outside to shoo it away.
Ricker says pigeons continued to visit, sometimes staying for 30 minutes or longer and eating from the seed pile. Mice then appeared underneath to feed on scraps. He eventually took the feeder down and put it in a closet. The article does not describe a product malfunction: Ricker says he enjoyed using the feeder before the larger birds took over, and does not blame Kiwibit for the animals it attracted.
When Pigeons Take Over the Feeder
The account highlights a limitation that may matter to prospective buyers: species recognition is not pest control. A smart feeder can provide video, notifications and information about visiting birds, but Ricker’s experience suggests that those features may not prevent larger birds from consuming the food or other animals from gathering beneath it.
That matters for the cost and commitment involved. Ricker says the feeder cost $269 when he bought it, with a higher price of $350 also mentioned in the source material. He advises readers to begin with a simple, inexpensive feeder rather than committing to a more costly connected model immediately. He also warns that a used feeder may not be returnable simply because it attracts pests; return terms depend on the seller and are not detailed in the account.
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From Small Birds to Pigeons
Ricker’s story begins with the experience that smart bird feeders are designed to offer: a camera captures visiting birds, software attempts to identify them, and alerts bring the activity to a phone. He describes spending time watching the smaller birds and reading about them through the app. The early visits made the device enjoyable for him, according to his account.
The problem followed when pigeons began using the feeder. Ricker describes one bird as large enough to obscure the camera, while later visits involved pigeons eating for extended periods. Because he could not tell whether the same pigeon returned or several did, he wrote, “who can tell”. His account is a single user’s experience; it does not establish how often this happens with Kiwibit feeders or smart feeders generally.
““Looks like Great Tit!””
— Kiwibit app alert, as quoted by Thomas Ricker
What One Garden Cannot Establish
The source provides one reporter’s account, not controlled testing or a survey of smart feeder owners. It does not establish whether this model attracts pigeons more often than a basic feeder, whether other placements or seed choices would have changed the result, or how well the alarm performs in other settings. Ricker does not report testing a different feeder after taking this one down.
The account also does not give the publication date, the feeder’s current price, or the seller’s return policy. The price figures in the source are $269 and $350, but the material does not explain the difference between them. No response from Kiwibit is included.
A Lower-Cost Start for Buyers
Ricker’s stated advice is to begin with a basic, inexpensive feeder before buying a camera-equipped model. Readers considering the Kiwibit or a similar product can check current pricing and the seller’s return terms, and think about which birds already visit their garden. The article reports no announced product change or company response; based on the source provided, there is no further milestone to report.
Key Questions
Why did Thomas Ricker take down the feeder?
He says pigeons repeatedly ate from it, while mice gathered beneath to feed on fallen seed. He eventually removed it and put it in a closet.
Did the feeder’s alarm stop the pigeon?
According to Ricker, he activated the Nuisance Animal Alarm, but the pigeon resumed eating after reacting briefly.
How much did the feeder cost?
The source names both $269 and $350. It does not explain the difference between those figures.
Does the account show that smart feeders generally attract pests?
No. It describes one reporter’s experience and does not establish how common the problem is across smart feeders or gardens.
Source: rss
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