Bird Buddy Is the Smart Bird Feeder That Lets You Catch 'Em All
This AI-powered feeder notifies you of feathered visitors, captures their photos, and organizes them in a collection.
Bird Buddy is a new smart feeder that uses AI to let you channel your inner Pokemon trainer. The device can identify birds by photo and audio, and when paired to a phone, adds each new species to your personal collection — letting you (figuratively) catch them all.
At first glance, Bird Buddy looks like an ordinary bird feeder with a clear, fillable container that holds up to 3.8 cups of food. But it’s the built-in camera that makes the feeder stand out. The camera, which resembles a smart doorbell, has the capability to provide 5MP photos and 720P live video with a 120-degree range of view. It can also be connected to your Wi-Fi network to receive notifications every time it detects a new bird.
The feeder’s AI can recognize over 1,000 bird species with just a quick snapshot or video clip. And in case the bird is too fast for the camera, the AI is designed to spot birds by song using its microphone. When the bird is identified, that species’ badge will unlock in the app and will be added to your collection. Not only that, but the data Bird Buddy collects will also be added to an open source platform that tracks bird migrations and populations to help conservation efforts.
If you can’t install a feeder, you can still use the Bird Buddy app (for a fee). Inspired by Pokemon Go, you just open the app, stick your phone in your pocket, and start collecting birds.
Bird Buddy is currently funding on Kickstarter for $219, while the standalone app is available for $24. In addition to the feeder, there are a variety of accessories, including a fence mount and wall mount. Bird Buddy won’t be ready for release until September 2021.