Feeder terms, explained.

A cone, cylinder or other barrier fitted to a pole or hanger to make it harder for squirrels to reach the feeder. Fit, height and nearby jumping points matter.

What one membership fee covers: a camera, an account or a household. An account plan can still limit the number of cameras.

An app’s suggestion for the species in a photo, video or recording. Feeder-visit recognition and identification of photos from your phone can be different features.

Recordings saved with the camera company’s online service. Retention and access can depend on the membership. Cloud storage does not mean a clip stays available forever.

Identification of birds captured at a connected feeder. It does not necessarily include identification of other photos or sound recordings.

Permission for someone you invite to watch the camera live. Receiving shared photos or clips does not necessarily include live access.

A reservoir that lets seed fall into a feeding area. Larger capacity is useful only while the food stays dry and fresh.

A period of membership supplied with a particular purchase. Check who qualifies, when it starts and what happens at the end.

Identification included for the lifetime defined by the offer, often the device’s supported life. It does not automatically include every premium feature or transfer to another account.

Opening the camera’s current video feed in its app. A live view, an automatically captured clip and a downloadable video are different features.

Recordings kept on a card in or near the camera. It does not by itself mean offline setup or that no app account is needed.

A sugar-water food for hummingbird feeders. Mix four parts water with one part refined white sugar by volume; do not add dye or honey.

A membership charged separately for each camera. Two cameras can mean two fees, even in one home.

An open tray for food, sometimes with a cover. It gives birds room but leaves food more exposed to rain and droppings.

The width measured across the outside of a pole. Use it when checking an adapter or baffle’s fit; do not substitute circumference.

How long a service keeps photos or videos before removing them. Download anything you want to keep while access is available.

A panel replenishing the camera battery when enough light reaches it. Shade and weather can still make manual charging necessary.

A fat-based bird food offered in a suitable holder, often as a cake. Use a feeder designed for it and remove spoiled food.

A lower extension that lets birds such as woodpeckers brace their tails while feeding.

A seed reservoir with feeding ports and perches. The port design determines which foods pass through it.

A mechanism that closes food access when enough weight rests on the feeder. It needs the maker’s specified clearance so animals cannot reach from nearby footholds.

The 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network a camera can use. Match the exact model’s supported band and test the intended outdoor spot.