Advanced Techs Elevate Bird Viewing Experience
I never used to be interested in birds until I spent a morning in a friend's garden, watching numerous birds flocking around their bird feeders. I ended up purchasing four feeders and creating what I believed to be a dream buffet for birds. For a few years, I just enjoyed watching them and listening to their songs, but I didn't really know what I was observing. This year, due to the help of smart technology, I have significantly improved my experience - birding has never been more thrilling!
Identify birds by their songs using Birdsong AI
Many apps can identify the songs of local birds using your smartphone. BirdNET from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is highly recommended by most birdwatchers. It's available on both Android and Apple devices and is free. Many other apps, such as Merlin, also depend on BirdNET for their bird identification. Cornell Lab's app features a more polished interface, while BirdNET has a larger library. Both apps employ artificial intelligence to match the bird's song with the library's resources and identify the species. Even though there are other apps like ChirpOMatic ($3.99), they are not free and are not as highly rated.
However, these apps require you to have your phone, open the app, and aim your phone at the bird when it sings, which may not always be possible. I recently installed a passive listening device, Haikubox, in my backyard. The device is weatherproof, so you can leave it outside. It records the birdsong, identifies it, and then sends notifications and reports of the birds in your area to your phone. The device works by relying on BirdNET and the combination of machine learning and AI. Although it lacks refined hardware or software and its sharing capabilities are not well developed, it is highly engaging. Within minutes of installation, I was receiving recordings of individual hummingbirds and pine siskins, as well as birds I had not been able to identify before. The updates often prompt me to leave my window to try and locate the source of the song.
Get up close and personal with smart birdhouses
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My favourite birdhouse is one that attaches to a window, allowing me to see it from my desk. There are, however, issues: scrub jays often come for the mealworms I provide, and squirrels can also cause damage. A more appropriate solution for close-up engagement is a smart birdhouse. The most well-known of these is the Bird Buddy, which won an innovation award at CES recently. I set up the latest version last week, equipped with a solar roof ($299). The device also requires a hanger, but if you're dealing with squirrels, this isn't an option. I bought a pole and squirrel baffle to mount the birdhouse and create a squirrel-proof zone. It took a week, but I've had visitors since then. The Bird Buddy app allows you to watch a live view from your birdhouse camera or receive notifications of visitors, along with ID, recorded video, and photos.
There are also other smart birdhouses, including Birdfy, which debuted at CES this year. Birdfy boasts a broader-angle camera than Bird Buddy and a detachable battery pack, which may make it easier to charge than the Bird Buddy. Both have solar panels, so charging isn't a problem.
Bird Buddy plans to release a hummingbird feeder in August this year, which I'm excited to try out - hummingbirds are one of the most entertaining birds to have in the garden. Unfortunately, these birds can be difficult to capture on camera.
Unfortunately, these apps do not remind you to clean your bird feeder, which you should do regularly to prevent the spread of disease among birds. Depending on the weather, you may want to clean your feeder every two weeks. In warmer climates, you should change hummingbird feeders daily.
Most bird feeders require you to refill them when empty, but Bird Buddy is a self-filling feeder that can be set up in less than 10 minutes. It can even measure the amount of food for each bird, making it more efficient to use since the food in the feeder can last longer, especially in colder weather. And it's compatible with any seed type.
Bird Buddy has a built-in filter inside the feeder to prevent rainwater from entering, which keeps the seeds dry and fresh. It also includes a transparent window, allowing you to monitor the level of food and birds that visit.
A wide selection of bird feeders and nesting boxes are available at a variety of prices, with the Bird Buddy starting at $299 and the Haikubox at $229. Birdfy is priced at $249.99 on Amazon and $279.99 on the official website.
Bird Buddy offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it safe to try. The solar roof is weatherproof and can be left outdoors for year-round use. It is recommended that you keep the device clean to maintain its longevity.
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You can also sign up for a Bird Buddy membership for $2.99 a month, which provides 24/7 access to customer support and user forums.
The Bird Buddy connects to your Wi-Fi network and sends notifications of bird activity, as well as detailed analysis with photos and videos, directly to your phone.
In conclusion, bird watching can be very rewarding and educational, especially with the help of smart technology. The world of birding is full of surprises and discoveries. Try out these gadgets for a more engaging and enjoyable bird-watching experience.
Feeding birds is not a cheap affair, and you'll be amazed at how fast your local flock can consume a ton of birdseed. You can find local birding stores to visit, as they're more knowledgeable about the local avian species and will be able to advise you on the right kind of seed mix for them. I came across a service called Happy Bird Watcher, which creates personalized birdseed blends based on your zip code and delivers them to your door on a regular basis.
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Automated coops are a reality now
Chicken and duck owners may already have doors on their coops that open and close with the sun. But now, you can have a fully automated coop! The Smart Coop features cameras, feeders, and doors that all connect to an app, keeping you informed about your fowl friends. You can purchase a complete package, including the coop and run, for $1995, a standalone coop for $1695, or just install the door and cameras on an existing coop at $399.99.
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Source: lifehacker.com
