The 6 best bird box cameras

Bird box cameras provide you with a great new way to enjoy the wildlife in your garden. The chance to look into the nesting life of our nation’s birdlife is a treat for everyone: from those with a passing interest in nature to dedicated birdwatchers and twitchers.

Though it can seem like installing a bird box camera system and having it display on your TV, computer, phone or tablet is a big, high-tech task... But, in reality, it couldn’t be any simpler. Other than installing some small power cables and video cables, much of the hard work is completed automatically. Those tasks that aren’t automatic are in the instruction pamphlets. Plus, online instruction videos that come with the bird box camera.

To help you get started on your new birdwatching journey, we’ve brought together a list of the very best bird box cameras available to buy today. Some options can be fitted to existing bird and nest boxes, while other packages include specially prepared boxes.

The best bird box cameras for an amazing up-close wildlife experience

Best bird box camera overall: Green Feathers Wildlife HD Wired Camera

• Best wireless bird box camera: Green Feathers Wireless bird box camera

Best bird box camera on a budget: BW CCTV Camera with Infrared

• Best all-in-one camera and bird box kit: Birdboxview Colour CCTV nest box camera

Best bird box for camera mounting: Wildlife World Camera Ready Nest Box

• Best bird box camera for easy set-up: RSPB bird box camera

There are cameras here to suit every requirement. But, before you purchase any of our choices, it’s best to make sure that you have the correct equipment. For example, all units require mains power access. On the other hand, some units require a wire running into an internet router in order to work.

We've also included snippets from real-life reviews from people who have bought the item themselves. This way, you can see how easy, reliable and exciting a bird box camera can be.

Read more: Summer-flowering bulbs for dazzling garden displays

The best bird box cameras

This green feathers bird box camera is our favourite for bird boxes. The camera itself captures footage in full HD video, so the image is really crisp and defined. The casing is robust, and there are some infrared lights for night and low light viewing.

Via the provided equipment, the camera links up to your internet router and can wirelessly stream to smartphones and tablets – even though this is pretty high tech, the instructions provided make it easy to understand and set up. The included equipment also includes a power unit.

Review comment: “Total time to install was around 30 minutes…it's a simple case of [going] to a computer and setup the way you want it… Once I had all the details of the camera on my network I was able to set this up very quickly. So now I get motion detection, sound etc. In all, great value for money. Would recommend it to anyone. Picture is very good and night vision is perfect for what's needed.”

Pros: Great image quality and camera build. Very easy to set up thanks to instructions, can be used on smartphones and tablets.

Cons: The cable connection can take a while to install.

Displays on: Smartphones, tablets and computers.

Requires: Internet router.

This Green Feathers option provides you with a wireless connection, allowing for quick and easy viewing. While other units require you to run cables from your TV or a monitor to the bird box, this option requires you to only plug the wireless receiver (included) into the RCA connection found on the back of the TV.

This cuts down on the hassle of laying long wires, but note the greater the distance between the camera and the receiver, the poorer the image quality. The camera is powered via a mains connection, so the setup isn't entirely cable-free.

Review comment: “This is fabulous, we have had blue tits nesting for four years and always wondered what went on inside, bought it for my husband for Christmas, it's all set up and we have a blue tit in the box every night just before dusk and now are watching to see when there are two, a nest and hopefully chicks with the fab camera, it's so clear and can't wait.”

Pros: Easy to use and good image quality.

Cons: Wireless camera and receiver need to be close for the best picture.

Displays on: Television with RCA (Red, Yellow and White) cable.

Requires: Just a television.

If you already have a little know-how around camera and CCTV technology, you may want to consider the BW CCTV camera as a budget option. The camera can output in PAL and NTSC, and offers up some controls over gamma and aperture.

In time you may want to upgrade to a higher specification and resolution. But, it is certainly a fine camera for starting out or if you're on a budget. Please note that you will need to purchase the power adapter separately.

Review comment: “This is a lovely little camera that works beautifully. The IR lights are on all of the time for some reason although for nest boxes, this is not a problem… Taking this lens well beyond its design specification, it will focus down to 1mm or thereabouts (the quality at the edges starts to fade a little by then but who cares when you can do this and the front of the lens starts to come into focus)… In all, an excellent bird box camera.”

Pros: Budget-friendly.

Cons: Requires extra purchases and some camera knowhow to get the most out of it.

Displays on: Television with RCA (Red, Yellow and White) cable.

Requires: A TV, power adapter and a little camera knowhow.

This bird box camera kit from Birdboxview comes with all of the equipment you need to set up a TV-viewed Birdhouse camera - a bird box, camera, and caballing. The box has plastic trunking for cable organisation and protection, and a side hole with a light diffuser to improve internal light for better image capture.

The camera is also fitted with infrared, allowing for night and low light viewing. Just note that you may have to do a little sanding when you receive the box, as the hole cuts can be a little rough. Available with varying cable length options of 10, 15, 20 and 30 meters.

Review comment: “The local blue tits couldn't wait to set up home in this desirable property. We can see that they have great taste with their internal furnishing choices. Great to be able to observe nesting activity without disturbing them in the slightest. Next season we will know to alter the camera angle slightly to be able to see more of the floor area and less of the exit wall.”

Pros: All-in-one bird box camera kit that is simple to set up.

Cons: The finish isn't the best it could be, and the trunking is a little ugly.

Displays on: Television with RCA (Red, Yellow and White) cable.

Requires: Just a TV!

This bird box may appear to have a traditional design, but it hides several camera-ready features. Around the lid's hinge, there are some pre-cut cable channels. Whilst on the underside of the lid itself, there's a camera mounting bracket.

On the side of the box, there is a large hole that is covered by a Perspex slide. This is designed to allow diffused daylight into the box, providing a better image of the nesting birds. The bird box has a great build quality and is constructed using thick, FSC cedar wood.

Review comment: “The box and its fittings are sturdy and well made, and the camera clip is well positioned so as to be out of the way, but convenient for getting the camera angle just right. The Perspex window allows plenty of light through in order to get a clear camera shot. I made a couple of changes to the box before installation and fitted a right-angled bracket to the underside of the box [and] the cable slot at the back of the box was not convenient for flush fitting to a wall… I made a small slot in the side of the box for the main cable, and housed all of the plugs etc. on the underside of the lid.”

Pros: Well-made and useful lighting cut-out.

Cons: None if you're looking for a great bird box for camera mounting.

Displays on: Nothing, it's just a box until you install the camera.

Requires: A camera.

Incredibly easy to set up, this set has everything you need to get going. The nestbox is made with FSC timber from certified renewable and properly managed sources. Plus, it is suitable for many species, including blue tits, great tits and sparrows. It can also be converted to an open front nestbox for birds such as robins, wrens and pied wagtails.

The camera is pretty impressive too, with high-res colour images by day and crisp black and white infrared images by night. There's also a built-in microphone so you can listen to all the action through the highly sensitive microphone which is included inside the camera.

Review: "Decided to buy the box with the camera after we had a family of blue tits fledge from our existing box last year. Having researched cameras we decided on the hard-wired bird box version. The camera slides inside the apex roof with only the tiny lense visible inside the nest box. It is easy to set up and comes with a good length of cable and scart connections for plugging into the tv. It is solidly built and I am hoping for some good footage over the next few months- fingers crossed."

Pros: Comes with everything you need and is obviously RSPB approved.

Cons: It's not the prettiest bird box but we reckon you could brighten it up.

Displays on: Connectivity options include TV Scart connection and RCA phono.

Requires: Just a TV

Some bird box tips and FAQs

How to attract birds into your garden

The best way to ensure regular bird activity in your garden is to make your garden their home with bird boxes and bird feeders. Not only is it great for the wildlife, but it’s also great for the footage on your bird box cameras. According to the Woodland Trust, these are the four things you should provide:

Bird Feeders

Bird feeders attract a diverse range of birds into your garden. Just be sure to keep them topped up, as local wildlife will come to rely on the feeders as a source of food. Different foods will attract a diverse range of bird species. For example, suet balls are a favourite of robins and blue tits. Plus, sunflower hearts are popular with sparrows and finches. Meanwhile, blackbirds and starlings are fond of mealworms.

Looking for some help finding the right bird feeder? Read our article on the best bird feeding stations, or, if you're feeling crafty, you can learn how to make a teacup bird feeder.

Fresh water

Fresh water is important for birds as both a source of drinking water and for bathing. Again, once you start providing clean and fresh water local wildlife will come to rely on the source. Keep it topped up.

Plants

Wildflowers and berry-rich foliage are attractive to birds as sources of food. Bushes and plants like Ivy are also great for birds, as they can provide cover.

Bird Boxes

Having birds nest in your garden is an excellent way of bringing more wildlife into your garden. Rather than hoping for a bird to nest in a tree or bush, a correctly placed bird box is an attractive piece of real estate for a home-making bird.

Where to put your nesting bird box

The placement of your bird box is key to attracting birds into your garden. Thankfully, the Wildlife Trust and the RSPB have plenty of advice on how to pick the perfect spot.

For those installing an open-fronted nest bird box then, as the Wildlife Trust points out, you need to place it in a safe place to settle, which may well be in a tree, hedge or bush in your garden. The open box needs to be placed under two metres and hidden in vegetation. This location and setup is the ideal home for robins and wrens.

How high should you put a bird box?

If you’re installing a hole-fronted bird box, it should be set securely at two to four metres high.

Which direction to face your bird box

It is recommended to face your nest box between north and east because this provides protection from wind, rain and direct sunlight, helping to create a safe environment for birds.

If you meet these criteria you’re well on your way to having some blue tits and sparrows to view on your bird box camera.

How to attach a camera to a bird box

Attaching a camera into your bird box may differ depending on what bird box and camera you choose, but here's a video you may find useful:

Take your time

Installing a camera can be a fiddly process, so give yourself plenty of time and have patience. You may find yourself spending some time going backwards and forwards to get the angle, focus and brightness just right.

Once it’s set up, leave it be

Once the camera is set up correctly, leave it alone! To clarify, the best way to get birds to nest in the box is to leave it undisturbed. This is the reason to always pick a mains-powered camera – you don’t have to access the box to change any batteries.

Should I put nesting material in my bird box?

Although you may feel the need, there is no need to worry about trying to provide comfort for birds with nesting material. This is primarily because birds can be quite particular when it comes to nest-building materials and they are likely to throw out anything they find in your bird box out when they move in, instead finding their own, preferred nesting material.

Benefits of bird watching

Did you know that bird watching actually has a number of benefits? From your health to your happiness, it's a brilliant hobby to undertake.

A study from the University of Exeter found that people living near more trees and birds are less likely to have depression, anxiety and stress. Another study found that just listening to bird song can reduce stress and improve focus.

What's more, getting out and about in nature not only has cardiovascular benefits, it encourages patience and even improves reflexes. Venturing into your garden to fill up the bird feeder and marvel at your new winged friends will absolutely be a worthwhile pastime.

The best places to see UK wildlife

If you want to see some wildlife outside of your garden, Gabrielle Albert writes about the best places in the UK to see wildlife. You can read the article on Yours here.