Frequently Asked Questions
The app and subscriptions
Is there a subscription?
Perchmont does not sell subscriptions or memberships. Each camera works with its manufacturer's free companion app for iOS and Android, and we only list cameras whose species identification, live viewing and motion alerts work without a paid plan. For Kiwibit feeders, we only sell the Lifetime AI Included versions.
Who makes the app?
Each camera's manufacturer. Perchmont is an independent retailer: we choose the cameras, and we handle your order, returns and warranty. If a manufacturer ever moves a core feature behind a paid plan, we will update the product page and tell you.
How accurate is the species identification?
Good on common garden birds in clear conditions. Less reliable in poor light, on partial views, and with species that look nearly identical to each other. Treat it as a very well-informed suggestion rather than a certainty — which is how experienced birders treat any automated ID.
WiFi and setup
What WiFi does it need?
2.4GHz. Most cameras of this type do not support 5GHz networks. If your router broadcasts both under one name, you may need to temporarily separate them during setup.
This is the single most common setup problem. Worth checking before you order.
How far from the router can it be?
Further than a phone would manage comfortably is asking for trouble. Walls, and especially exterior walls, cut the signal hard. If the far end of your garden already has weak WiFi, it will be weak at the feeder too.
How long does setup take?
About ten minutes if the WiFi cooperates. Mount it, connect, done.
Do I need to be technical?
No, but you do need a smartphone. If you are buying this as a gift for someone who does not use one, it will not work for them.
Power and solar
Does solar mean I never charge it?
In a sunny position, largely yes. In practice it depends entirely on where you mount it.
What if my best spot is shaded?
This is a real tension. Birds feel safest near cover, which is usually the shadiest part of the garden — the worst place for a solar panel.
Choose a feeder with a separate adjustable solar panel that can be angled toward the sun, and keep a charged spare battery for grey spells.
What about winter?
Short days and thin light mean the panel may not keep up. A spare battery covers those stretches.
Weather and durability
Can it stay outside all year?
Yes. The cameras we sell have sealed housings designed for rain, snow and full summer sun.
What about extreme cold?
Battery performance drops in hard freezes — true of every battery. Expect shorter runtime during a cold snap.
Birds and placement
How long until birds use it?
Two to three weeks before they treat a new feeder as reliable. Moving it because nothing came in five days resets that clock. Leave it, keep it filled.
Where should I put it?
Around ten feet from cover. Five to six feet high. Either within three feet of a window or more than thirty feet away — the middle distance is where collisions happen.
Will it stop squirrels?
Not on its own. Clearance matters more than any feeder design: squirrels rarely climb a pole, they jump to it. Ten feet of clear space in every direction does most of the work.
Will it show me hummingbirds?
Not a standard feeder camera. Hummingbirds hover a few inches away for a couple of seconds, and a normal lens cannot focus that close. The hummingbird feeder has a macro lens built for exactly that distance.
Orders
Who am I buying from?
Perchmont, an independent online retailer. Perchmont is a trading name of ESIM4HOLIDAY Limited Liability Company, 1007 N Orange St, 4th Floor, Suite 5521, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States.
Where do you ship?
The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.
What does shipping cost?
Nothing. Shipping is free on every order with no minimum. Orders placed before 2pm Eastern on a business day are dispatched the same day. US delivery is typically 3–7 business days; international is typically 7–21.
Will I pay customs or duties?
On international orders you may. Import duties and taxes are set by your own country and are the recipient's responsibility. Your carrier usually collects them before delivery.
Returns?
30 days, full refund, no restocking fee. Contact us first for a return reference. If you have changed your mind rather than received a faulty product, return shipping is yours to arrange — worth knowing on international orders, where it can be costly.
Warranty?
One year from delivery against defects in materials and workmanship, covering cameras, nest boxes, poles and accessories. It does not cover misuse, accidental damage or animal damage. Contact us with your order number and a description of the fault; photographs help.
Still stuck?
Call +1 929 604 7180, weekdays 9–5 Eastern, or email hello@perchmont.com. A person answers.