Why the Blink Camera is the best nest box camera for your birdhouse
You might have just set up your nest box and are wanting to chronicle the happenings inside with as little disturbance as possible. So what camera will work for your birdhouse?
Our research shows the Blink Outdoor Cameras from Amazon are by far the best option for your nest box due to price, size, wireless feature, battery life and so much more.
In this article, we take you through11 key features that make this camera perfect for your nest box. In addition to nest boxes, we have found this camera to be a really great option for general backyard wildlife monitoring
1. Blink cameras are widely used as nest box cameras by bird landlords.
You might have just set up your nest box and are wanting to chronicle the happenings inside with as little disturbance as possible. So what camera will work for your birdhouse?
Our research shows the Blink Outdoor Cameras from Amazon are by far the best option for your nest box due to price, size, wireless feature, battery life and so much more.
In this article, we take you through11 key features that make this camera perfect for your nest box. In addition to nest boxes, we have found this camera to be a really great option for general backyard wildlife monitoring
2. Blink cameras are small and easy to install into bird boxes.
Blink cameras are small: 71x71x34 mm, which is roughly 2.80 x 2.80 x 1.34 inches. The Blink camera’s small size makes them perfect for fitting into most standard sized nest boxes.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that sizing does not include the mount. The mount will add height, dropping the camera lower (not low enough to be problematic). And the way you tilt your camera to view nest activity may influence fit.
Even still, in most every case, the Blink cameras won’t be a problem for your nest box.
3. Blink cameras are easy to install in most North American Bluebird Society approved birdhouses.
If you’re using a NABS approved bluebird nest box or other larger wooden box that was assembled using screws, it’ll be very easy to install your Blink camera.
Watch our Installation and Tips Tutorials on YouTube
Visit our Installation How-To Guide with Pictures
Whether you buy a whole system or just an add-on camera for your existing system, your Blink camera will come with a mounting piece.
There are two screw holes for the mount, and it comes with the screws. Just clip your camera to the mount, position it in the box where you’ll get the best view. Then mark the holes by poking an awl, thumbtack or nail through the mount screw holes into the box.
Unclip your camera so you’re only working with the mount. Get a small screwdriver and drive the screws into the wood.
Installation may require you to take off one of the sides of your nest box. But if the panels were all screwed together, this won’t be too difficult.
The camera will also work well in bluebird houses made of recycled plastic. Again, some disassembly may be required, but it’s really not hard at all.
4. Great video quality
You’ll get fantastic video quality with your Blink camera. It won’t zoom, but there is great color, and a sharp picture.
The quality you get from these nest box cameras make them worthy of being shared on social media. Video taken isn’t fuzzy or hard to see. Everything is clear, and the little birds bring a lot of joy when shared.
Motion captured from Blink Outdoor of a Carolina chickadee building a nest.
5. Blink Cameras come with night vision.
Cavity nest landlords obsessively protect their birds. But there are many night predators that can threaten a nest. With Blink’s night vision feature, you can see what’s happening in your nest at night or in low light situations.
But night vision isn’t just about predators. This feature gives you a window into activity you might otherwise miss.
- What do these little birds do at night?
- Is anything hatching in the early morning?
- Is mama bird laying in the early morning, afternoon or evening?
- Come wintertime, are you getting other unexpected visitors?
You still get to see it all happen.
This male downy woodpecker is preparing to roost for the night during late fall in a bluebird nest box that was left up to shelter birds from the cold.
Blink Outdoor motion night vision capture of a fox (summer coat) visiting a ground bird bath.
6. Blink Cameras are wireless
The wireless aspect of the Blink cameras is a major benefit of using this as a nest box camera. Just connect your camera with your wifi, and you’re all set. There is no fussing with wires, no worry about where to plug anything in when your box is 50 feet from the house, and no water concerns.
Something to note is wifi distance. We have tested this and found the maximum working distance from your router to the camera is about 50-70 feet. That difference depends on the material your home is built with and any other obstructions that might lower the signal.
7. Outdoor safe and waterproof
Even though you’re using the Blink cameras as nest box cameras, it’s still exposed to the elements, and there are some nasty storms that can sweep through during the spring season.
Blink cameras are waterproof and meant for outdoor use, which means your investment will be weather safe.
Footage of a robin’s nest during rain. Robins are open-nesters, meaning they do not use tree holes or nest boxes. Footage captured by a Blink XT2 Camera (older generation). This shows you that the Blink Cameras are not just great nest box cameras, but excellent wildlife cameras and can handle all sorts of weather.
8. Blink cameras have a long battery life
One of the reasons you might be interested in a nest box camera is so you can monitor your nest without disturbing your birds.
The great news with Blink cameras is that you won’t need to change the batteries regularly. They have a standard battery life of 2 years.
However, that does depend on usage and settings. With more activity being monitored, you will have to change your battery sooner.
One way to to boost your battery’s life for bird monitoring is to use a solar panel. These aren’t expensive at all – about $40 – $50 on Amazon*
Installing a solar panel is really easy. And we have videos to help with that.
This video also lists out some great tips to make sure your Blink camera’s battery lasts long when using it as a nest box camera.
9. Price is awesome.
As far as security cameras go, Blink cameras are extremely inexpensive. They are the absolute best value for what you’re getting.
Right now, a single-camera system will run you $100. There isn’t much savings if you’re buying an add-on camera – $90. But all things considered, that is a great price. Especially considering how much you’ll be using your camera
10. Blink cameras are tolerated by your birds
Brooding birds in their nest don’t seem to mind the camera. Mother birds sometimes notice the camera and get curious, but we have not found any nest abandonments or stress for the birds.
Female bluebird will look up at the camera, but she is not bothered by it. Instead, she appears intrigued and a little curious. This female has had several successful nests so far in this box with the camera present.
One thing we have noticed is that there is a slight clicking sound when the camera switches from day vision to night vision. We have not found nesting birds to be bothered by this sound. If you are worried about the noise, you can set the camera to always be in night vision mode. You’ll still get great videos of your birds, they’ll just be in black and white.
11. Blink cameras are not just nest box cameras – They’re great wildlife cameras
A really nice thing about the Blink cameras is their mobility. Due to their wireless nature, compact size, battery life, shape and weatherproofing, you can really set them anywhere.
We have mounted Blink cameras to birdfeeders, bird baths, tree branches and so many other places. They’re so handy and so mobile, that they have become one of our favorite wildlife cameras.
Blink Outdoor or Blink XT2 Camera – Which one to choose for your nest box?
Blink cameras are easy to find on Amazon*. And by purchasing on Amazon, there is an added convenience.
As far as deciding between the Blink Outdoor model or the Blink XT2, either are great options.
The Outdoor model is their newest generation, making it easier to find. But as far as performance, battery life and everything else goes, either will be perfect for your nest.
The one difference we have noticed between Outdoor and XT2s is that the XT2 does not have a “talk” feature nor does it appear to have a manual save feature.
Blink camera specs for bird lovers
| Size | 2.80 x 2.80 x 1.34 inches (71x71x34 mm) |
| Weight | 48 grams |
| Price | $99 for a new system, $89 for an add-on system |
| Battery Life (Standard) | 2 years – about 1 nesting round for active nests |
| Support | Forums, Phone number, birding communities |
| Data Transfer & Storage | Blink App (Android, IOS). Additional storage with subscription |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Power Source | 2 AA 1.5V lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries – Wireless |
| Waterproof | Yes – weather resistant, and for outdoor use |
| Mount | Included |
| Video Resolution | Up to 1080p |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps |
| Night Vision | Yes |
| 2-Way Audio | Yes |
| Motion Activation | Yes |
Find Blink on Amazon*
Amazon is probably one of the easiest places to get your Blink camera. You can check out the Blink Outdoor here.
*Please note that these links are affiliate links, which means that we get a very small commission if you order something. This does not cost you anything extra and helps support the maintenance of this site. We thank you for your support.
