Last updated on April 23rd, 2023 at 03:57 pm
Recording the birds that come to your feeder is a great way to get to know local species, and a Bird Buddy may make that process even easier by offering identification technology in addition to the regular benefits of a bird camera. But is it worth the cost?
Getting a bird buddy is worth it if you are interested in identifying the birds that come to your feeder and don’t mind paying for a high-tech device. Bird buddies notify you about birds coming to your feeder, identifying them based on photos and sounds. They can be great investments.
Why Getting a Bird Buddy Is Worth It
Bird buddies have been endorsed by CBS, The Wall Street Journal, AARP, and other organizations due to their great benefits.
Birders of all ages will enjoy the up-close look at birds that a bird buddy allows you to get, as well as the easy-to-use phone application that comes with the feeder.
What Does a Bird Buddy Do?
A bird buddy is a high-tech bird feeder with a built-in camera that captures footage.
It also identifies the bird species at the feeder through artificial intelligence and notifies you on your smart device when birds are visiting.
It even has a built-in microphone so you can capture full sound on your recordings and live streams.
How To Use a Bird Buddy
Using a bird buddy is simple. Set up the feeder and download the app on your phone, then connect to your feeder over Wifi.
You can choose to receive notifications when birds visit your feeder and look at a history of visitors to your feeder.
You can also control the camera with your phone to get a better look at birds.
Benefits of Bird Buddies
Bird buddies are powerful because they can identify over 1,000 different bird species using the visual cues from the camera and the auditory clues from the microphone.
The camera is high-quality, with 5 megapixels and a Wifi connection for easy transfer of photos and videos.
The video quality is exceptional as well, offering a resolution of 720p.
Bird buddies have a 120-degree field of view, ideal for capturing everything that comes to your feeder.
They are weather-resistant, so you can leave your feeder and camera out in the elements without worrying that they will suffer damages.
They also create a collection of birds that have been at your feeder so that you can revisit and study nearby species using your photos.
That way, you can track which birds are visiting, noting who is attracted to what kinds of food.
Downsides of Getting a Bird Buddy
The main downside of getting a bird buddy is the cost, as they can cost as much as $200, which is more than some trail cameras and alternate feeders.
Although some would say that it’s a worthwhile investment, keep in mind that there may be less expensive alternatives.
Bird buddies also can’t be installed into preexisting feeders, so you’ll need to install the new feeder in place of or in addition to any you already have.
Bird Buddy vs. a GoPro
Although the GoPro HERO10 from Amazon.com is costlier than a Bird Buddy, it may suit your needs more.
It has excellent low light performance, is waterproof, and takes high-resolution photos, but it can also break the bank unnecessarily.
Setting up a GoPro will give you more freedom in capturing footage.
However, it can also be a hassle to figure out where and how you need to establish your camera to capture the right footage.
Both the Bird Buddy and the GoPro allow you to connect to your phone to wirelessly manage your footage, so both are convenient to use.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference. Do you want to use your camera for more than just birding? If so, a GoPro might be the way to go.
Otherwise, a Bird Buddy is the more cost-effective choice.
How To Get the Most Out of a Bird Buddy
The Bird Buddy comes in two colors, blue and yellow, and you can use it with various seed types.
You can even attach a suet feeder to the bird buddy to attract more species.
Where To Buy a Bird Buddy
Bird buddies are available for pre-order from MyBirdBuddy.com, and they are scheduled to ship in September 2022.
Due to present circumstances, the release date has been pushed back in the past, but the owners are hopeful that the September 2022 release date will remain in effect.
Bird Buddy Add-Ons
The Bird Buddy has several optional attachments that you can purchase.
This includes not only a suet ball holder but also a solar roof that you can use to recharge the device, a wall mount, and a fence mount.
With these attachments, hanging up your bird buddy can be very easy.
Squirrel-Proofing Your Bird Buddy
Although the Bird Buddy is not inherently squirrel-proof, it will resist damage and can be paired with a squirrel-proofing device like a baffle.
For example, the Mekkapro Squirrel Baffle from Amazon.com wraps around any pole and keeps squirrels from getting to your feeder or Bird Buddy.
This can be purchased separately and integrated into your Bird Buddy setup.
Choosing the Right Seed
The Bird Buddy is compatible with several types of seeds. It has a roofed tray that can hold big or small seeds.
And you can even use it with suet if you get the suet ball attachment.
The best seeds that you can have in your Bird Buddy are:
- Sunflower, including Black-oil Sunflower and Striped Sunflower, but not salted or roasted hulls: These are popular, high fat, and high protein. They attract a wide variety of birds, including cardinals, jays, woodpeckers, titmice, and nuthatches.
- Safflower: Finches and chickadees enjoy these seeds, but they are unattractive to squirrels, grackles, and starlings.
- Nyjer (Thistle): These seeds attract goldfinches, which can only eat small seeds.
Additionally, peanuts, fresh fruit, and mealworms can all play a role in attracting diverse birds to your feeder.