Six of the best bird box cameras
Capture the wildlife in your back garden with these bird box cameras.
A bird box provides a safe place for birds to build their nests and a specialist bird box camera can give you a closer look at the birds raising their families in your garden without causing disruption.
The cameras are small, relatively affordable and easy to set up – there's no need to pay for professional installation. There are a variety of bird box cameras to choose from including wired and wireless, HD, one’s with added audio and those with night vision.
Once you've chosen a bird box camera from the list below, take a look at our guide on how to install a bird box camera. If you are looking for a new DIY project, we also have instructions on how to make a bird box and how to put one up (part 1 and 2).
For more ways to encourage wildlife into your garden, we suggest checking out our selection of the best bird feeders, bat boxes and hedgehog houses.
Types of bird box camera
Before you choose the type of bird box camera you need, think about how much you want to spend, if you would prefer a wireless bird box camera and whether you want to capture audio.
If you would like to hear, as well as see what's going on inside the bird box, then you need to choose a bird box camera with a microphone. Some models have the microphone in-built, while others require you to buy one separately.
The second consideration is choosing between a wired and wireless bird box camera. A wired camera is typically cheaper and has a cable running from the bird box to a Digital Video Recorder or to a TV.
Wireless bird box cameras may be more expensive but they offer more flexibility. Without the need for cables, a wireless camera connects to your Wi-Fi network and streams the footage straight to a smartphone or tablet.
If you're willing to pay a little more, consider investing in an HD bird box camera. The video footage from an HD camera will be clearer and better quality and allows you to see smaller details you might otherwise have missed.
To capture footage at night, the bird box camera will also need IR LED lights to ensure the camera keeps recording without disrupting the birds. Most of the best bird box cameras now have this capability.
Six of the best bird box cameras
Green Feathers Wi-Fi HD Bird Box Camera
This compact wireless camera is designed to work with most styles of bird box and provides HD 1080p footage of birds nesting and feeding. The wide-angle lens should capture all corners of the bird box and it has an accompanying app so you can still access footage on a smartphone or tablet when you're away from the house.
There's also a MicroSD slot to provide additional storage space on the device and a microphone to capture audio. If you don't already have a nest box, Green Feathers also sells the camera with a large, FSC certified timber bird box.
Price: £132
Buy Green Feathers Wi-Fi HD Bird Box Camera at Amazon
Gardenature Side View Bird Box Camera
Complete with a Side View Bird Box, Ultra HD camera, a weatherproof cable, and nest box screws, this Gardenature Camera Kit features everything you may need to begin bird watching. The Ultra High Resolution Sony Effio Colour Nest Box Camera with Infrared (IR) night vision provides colour images during the day and black & white images at night. A microphone is in-built and a three-year camera warranty is also included.
Price: £140.99
Buy Gardenature Side View Bird Box Camera at Amazon
RSPB Nest Box Camera System
With 30m of cable to connect the camera to your TV or computer, this bird box doesn't need to be positioned next to a outdoor power source. The camera produces full colour images during the day, has LEDs for night vision and a microphone to record any sound made by the birds.
The accompanying nest box is made in the UK from FSC certified timber and is suitable for a number of species including blue tits, grey tits and sparrows. It can also be converted into an open front bird box for robins and wrens, if you prefer.
Price: £149.99
Buy RSPB Nest Box Camera at RSPB Shop
RSPB IP Camera Nest Box System
Via a free app, this IP Camera streams HD video to your phone, tablet or computer. The 2MP camera delivers colour HD video and the included timber bird box has a small covered roof window to provide additional lighting.
The camera features a built-in microphone to pick up sound and comes with a 30m waterproof ethernet cable, if you prefer to use this rather than Wi-Fi.
Price: £199.99
Buy RSPB IP Camera Nest Box System at RSPB Shop
Green Feathers Wired Bird Box 2MP Camera with Audio
This tiny camera is designed to fit into any standard-size bird box and offers HD video, audio and a wide angle lens. It works in low light and once it's dark, night vision infrared LEDs allows you to capture footage even when though it's pitch black. It also comes with an HDMI converter so you can watch the full HD images straight from the TV. No bird box included.
Price: £79
Buy Green Feathers Wired Bird Box 2MP Camera with Audio at Green Feathers
Gardenature Nest Box IP Camera Kit
This high spec IP camera from Gardenature has a built-in light sensor that gradually switches to the night vision LEDs to supplement the loss of light with an invisible infrared. Other features include a built-in microphone, a camera mounting bracket and the ability to stream video straight to your phone or tablet. Includes a two-year guarantee. Does not include a bird box.
Price: £137.99