*Today’s post was made possible by PeckPerk, and features gifted product for the purposes of a candid review. All opinions are my own.

I feel like you always hear that bird-watching naturally evolves into a person’s favorite hobby as they get older, and I can firmly admit to falling right into that routine. Over the last few years as I’ve eased into my late thirties, I’ve loved watching and following birds more and more often. John and I have a growing collection of bird books to help us identify native species in our neighborhood, and one of our favorite things to do on a quiet afternoon is sit on the back porch or in the sunroom watching backyard birds flock to the bird feeder on our dogwood tree. Of course, bird-watching isn’t just for us late-30-somethings—it’s fun for the whole family—but I will say that it’s a hobby I’ve developed “right on time,” as they say.

We recently stepped up our bird-watching abilities at home with a new solar-powered smart bird feeder from PeckPerk. This high tech feeder allows us to peek in on our resident birds without disturbing them, plus it’s got AI bird recognition, which means I never have to wonder what kind of bird it is. I love checking the app throughout the day to see who has stopped by for a snack. It’s got a 1080p Full-Color Night Vision Camera, making nighttime viewings possible, too!

John and I have gotten so attached to the birds who come back over and over again to our feeder, and we mayyyyyyy or may not have started naming them. Before, when we used just a traditional bird feeder, we never could get close enough to really see each bird’s unique features, but the camera lets us see their faces and feathers up close, so we can often tell if it’s a repeat visitor or not. Oh, and the camera also picks up sound, so we can hear them singing as well, which is one of my favorite features of this bird feeder.

That cardinal that you see pictured above via screenshots from my app has been back over and over again, so we’re definitely throwing around pet names for him. We’ve also spotted finches, chickadees, blue jays, and even a small woodpecker. My excitement is clearly bubbling over, but we’re genuinely so giddy over the footage we’ve captured with this smart bird feeder. What kinds of birds flock to your home? See them up close and personal with your own PeckPerk smart feeder, which you can snag here. I know it’s a little early to be talking about Christmas, but it really is the perfect gift for your fellow bird-obsessed friend or family member.

P.S. See the bird feeder in video form on my Instagram this way, and use my code “CARRIE10” to get 10% off your bird feeder order!

*This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission when you purchase products that I recommend at no additional cost to you. This allows me to provide free creative content for you to read, save, and share. Rest assured that I never recommend products we wouldn’t use or don’t already love ourselves.