Bird Buddy Set-up and Review (Is it worth it?)

Рет қаралды 52,971

Жыл бұрын

Bird Buddy is a bird feeder with a camera that connects to an app and sends you photos and videos of what's at your feeder. It also uses AI to help identify the birds that are there. There's been a lot of hype about this product, but is it really worth it?
As partners we do earn from qualifying purchases made through our affiliate link below. If you do order one, using our link is much appreciated! :) Thanks!
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Gear Links (As Amazon Associates we do earn from qualifying purchases)
Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera
Used for most bird videos) - check credits as we do source some photos/videos elsewhere which is noted in the description
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Cayer FP2450 Fluid Head Tripod, 75 inches Aluminium Tripod
Derek's lighter tripod
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Andoer Video Tripod Aluminum Alloy 67 Inch
Derek's heavier tripod
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Nikon D5300
Derek's vlogging and macro camera
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Rode VideoMicPro Compact Directional On-Camera Microphone
Derek's external microphone for Nikon D5300
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Thanks to Terry Sohl for allowing us to use his range maps
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All other photos and videos by Derek and Ryan Sallmann
#Birding #BirdWatching #BadgerlandBirding

Пікірлер: 70

@BadgerlandBirding Жыл бұрын

A note from Bird Buddy about a few of the things I mentioned in the video. "The battery longevity is definitely something we're working on updating and it should be fixed within a few upcoming updates. Our AI is constantly learning and improving. As you mentioned in the video as well, our goal is educating people on bird species, and an important aspect of that is getting as much as possible right. If the system isn't completely sure, it will ask in order to educate itself for further sightings!" If you want to order Bird Buddy, using our link is much appreciated! :) As partners we do earn from qualifying purchases made through our affiliate link below. Thanks! bit.ly/3vSZcDm

@aw7425 Жыл бұрын

We’ve had our for some time, when in doubt ask the them to identify. They usually get back to you in 24-48 hrs. Also make sure you download the new firmware when it’s available as they upgrade the app. Also, we bought an outdoor water rated plug that allows us to connect a usb c cable from it to the BB. This keeps the battery at 99% even in our CO winters. Happy birding

@wheeling827 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting! I saw it suggested buntings, golden-crowned kinglets, and pine warblers. Not sure if the bunting and warbler would be up in Wisconsin in the winter! Congrats on 10k!

@thomasfx3190 4 ай бұрын

Great review! I liked how you worked through the squirrel problems, and your bird knowledge is terrific!

@BadgerlandBirding 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@Oltoir Жыл бұрын

Watching you set it up I was like "wait he didn't pair it yet? it's gunna take forever" (I finally got the one I bought for my mom's working last weekend after some back and forth (and this is replacement one, the first one froze mid-firmware update :x) That said, still looking forward to its use! Glad to see a video like this, thanks!

@BadgerlandBirding Жыл бұрын

Haha yeah, the battery charging and the pairing are the things that always take longer than expected for me

@litalewis8425 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! After watching this I've decided I will DEFINITELY wait till more sun and warmer temps. If I just put it out to test I'll get too frustrated with the squirrels! I realize I need to invest in a proper squirrel proof mount pole. At this time I am feeding more squirrels, chipmunks on my back deck area! I'm in southwest Michigan and ready for spring! I think...I saw my first Yellow Bellied sapsucker with my binoculars! In a tree out my kitchen window! Cool 😊 just passing through resting up high in the tree, but cool.

@matthewvogt7204 Жыл бұрын

Congratulations on hitting 10K subs 🎉🥳

@litalewis8425 Жыл бұрын

I’m still learning! It’s in a temporary spot but I couldn’t wait ANY LONGER! 😁 The squirrels learned how to jump from a metal palm tree on my back deck but as long as I keep seed and water at the usual spot it’s working! It’s hanging from a chain in the middle of our gazebo. Fun how sometimes it spins! I got the suet ball and just used the bottom half to put an orange piece in it. 💛🙌💛 It’s awesome! Male and female Cardinals, Rose breasted gross beaks, Baltimore Oriole, house finch, purple finch, SQUIRREL 😂, and lots of American Gold finches and others💞 awesome Christmas gift from my daughter! But... my phone and iPad are too full or old to download the app. Unless I get a new phone or iPad I have to watch from daughters phone. But it’s working very well!!! The solar panel was ready to go! Staying charged even with some cloudy days here in Southwest Michigan! Yes, I recommend it!!!

@litalewis8425 Жыл бұрын

Now I want a camera to see what is going on around my bird buddy! 😂 the finches above and the different birds on the gazebo and palm tree leaves waiting for their turn is so much fun out my kitchen window. 💛💛💛

@carolshannon6449 Жыл бұрын

Nice review! I like this smart feeder, and it seems like the company is interested in ongoing improvement.

@susannegro7835 Жыл бұрын

Great review, I'll be ordering one through your link!

@jaggilbert6407 7 ай бұрын

Enjoying your reviews, interesting that you get almost exactly the same birds I get in NH

@barbaracole709 Жыл бұрын

I like the graphics on the message when you get a bird and the photos are good quality. I think I would enjoy it, but I have trouble with bird feeders getting torn up by squirrels, etc., so I would need to find a safe spot for it.

@SerendipityPoint Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the tips. I live in (the litteral) jungle of Palawan. Birds here keep a distance from humans, so I've been looking for something that would allow me to take photos like this. I see they have a PRO version that has a solar power roof and additional accessories.

@birdingwithrivercorcoran Жыл бұрын

congrats o 10k guys

@shortypictures Жыл бұрын

eastern gray squirrels are extremly annoying. Sometimes it feels like they're a plage. I try to keep them off the feeder with baffles and hot pepper. Helps also pretty well against raccoons. Thanks for the video, have a great weekend :)

@thebirdperch_MI Жыл бұрын

Nice review. I Started out with a Bird Photo Booth about 6 years ago. Over time, I have had to modify it and now I use it with a different action cam than the original and love the pictures I get. I am spoiled to my setup and the photo quality. I don't think I would enjoy the Bird Buddy, but I think it would be good for more causal birdwatching :) I also use Birdsy video cameras and they do bird identification and have very good video quality. Their AI is still in need of some work. It's interesting to see all of the new products coming out these days. Birdwatching with cameras has changed my life! :D

@BadgerlandBirding Жыл бұрын

Nice! The market really has blown up with different products. Ryan and I were talking about what makes a good AI. If it misses even one bird and identifies it wrong is it bad? Does it have a certain grace % or birds to ID wrong?

@GinaHarmeyer Жыл бұрын

@@BadgerlandBirding I know that when you add a bird it should be teaching the AI more information about that bird. The camera I am using is fairly good but I think it needs a lot more training. I would say it's roughly 50%, it will often just say "wildlife" when it records the birds. I like the Merlin Bird app that identifies sounds because I think that is very accurate, not 100% but it's pretty good, which helps greatly for identifying birds by sound only! That has been a great tool so far!

@GinaHarmeyer Жыл бұрын

@@BadgerlandBirding Oh and I wanted to share a tip for squirrels and feeder setup. I have had good results with an approximately 5' pole and a raccoon baffle under it. The other trick is to keep the feeder at least 10 feet away from anything squirrels can jump from. It's easy to underestimate the distance they can jump! I also toss food on the ground to try to keep them busy for a while :)

@RoseGrace100 Жыл бұрын

This was fun. Squirrels usually get to my feeders.

@stefangoldensteinwildlife9929 Жыл бұрын

Really cool Feeder. Greets Stefan

@AlainSTO Жыл бұрын

It's a little expensive for now, but I do plan to get it. If your partner link works at that time, I'll be sure to order through it.

@NOT.an.STi. Жыл бұрын

Was one of the first kickstarter backers but we got it in October and didn't want to put that battery through a hatsh Manitoba winter 🥶 Getting er set up today! Went out and got a pole system from wild birds unlimited. Just waiting for the camera to charge now... 😴

@DaddyDaughterBroadcasting Жыл бұрын

Awesome vid!!!! Stellar review. What are the actual camera specs? 😃

@BadgerlandBirding 11 ай бұрын

Camera 5 megapixel Photos and 720p HD Live Stream Video.

@snowyowl5556 Жыл бұрын

10k subs let's go! 💪

@lannyplans Жыл бұрын

Squirrels can not climb a 4” pvc pipe post, and they can’t jump to 5ft from the ground so place the feeder on a 5ft+ pvc post that is in a place where squirrels can’t jump onto the feeder from a limb or or other high location.

@Kangwonjoong Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video! I ordered two yesterday (They ship it to even South Korea!). I wonder if the feeder and my phone need to be on the same network to work. Can I get photos and alarms when I use my phone by cellular data far from the wifi?

@toms169 Жыл бұрын

Can’t answer your question, unfortunately. Question for you: Is its AI trained for Eurasian species?

@milowadlin 8 ай бұрын

Where did you get that white mount you attached to the board at the beginning? (hope you don't say it was in the box, cuz I didn't get one.)

@JasjitDhaliwal Жыл бұрын

I want to get this but I have no idea what kind of bird it will be. Is there a way to know what kind of bird ill get?

@1440yoohoo Жыл бұрын

This took me days and many frustrating hours to set up and pair. I am tech savvy and good internet.

@RAVENLESS 7 ай бұрын

Do you leave it on livestream all the time or just in the on position?

@ourcreativebeehive Жыл бұрын

This is really cool. Sadly, all I would get are pigeons. Would love one for our, but we do not have Wi-Fi there. It is our decompression place.

@SuddenUpdraft Жыл бұрын

Can you send postcards to someone else? Can you exit the postcard without identifying the bird and then go back?

@hughhaggerty6395 Жыл бұрын

Also having tons of issues getting the camera to pair. Tech support is terrible

@Potterdood Ай бұрын

I just received mine, it's doing the firmware update now, I didn't realize it wasn't charging using my phone charger so changed chargers and its working now and the update stopped giving me errors.

@BadgerlandBirding Ай бұрын

That’s good!

@IrixGuy 8 ай бұрын

Excellent review! Sub and Like added. I’m going to pick up one for my daughter.

@BadgerlandBirding 8 ай бұрын

Awesome, thanks! Please consider using our affiliate link in the description!

@juliankenny9264 Жыл бұрын

you mentioned a solar roof in your video, there was no solar roof in my box. Is it something I purchase separetly?

@BadgerlandBirding Жыл бұрын

Some packages come with the solar roof and some don’t. I believe you can purchase it from Bird Buddy separately

@rxlo1015 Жыл бұрын

👍👍👍

@wildzach Жыл бұрын

How long will it be in "preorder"?

@BadgerlandBirding Жыл бұрын

It’s out now!

@MrMaxeemum Жыл бұрын

The animations in the App makes progress slow when you have many photos.

@BadgerlandBirding Жыл бұрын

It definitely does

@annettesites4948 Жыл бұрын

Removing the photo cover of birds saved is difficult. Needs to be user friendly. Why do I have to select a new photo cover which I still can’t do. Just let me delete what I choose to delete

@ChillyPeppers Жыл бұрын

I know you probably just had a brain fart, but it did say it can't create postcards when using the livestream feature.

@SmedleyDouwright Жыл бұрын

I read that if you put hot pepper in with your bird seed, the squirrels will not eat it, but birds will because birds to not have taste buds. I have no idea if it is true.

@spookytanooky Жыл бұрын

Maybe you should test it first and come back and tell us if it’s true.

@garyv6123 Жыл бұрын

SETUP NOTE: Ours works great AFTER reading instructions - Duh. Our 2023 version is NOT compatible with 5ghz wifi. You must be sure your WiFi either runs at 2.4ghz only, or exposes TWO WiFi SSID hotspot (one for 5ghz and one for 2.4ghz). Something like "MyWifiRouter-2g" and "MyWifiRouter-5g". Select the 2.4g version during first setup or BirdBuddy will behave flaky. Live Camera test view will keep failing and falsely report a poor wifi signal. If you incorrectly attached it to a 5ghz Wifi, you must go thru the "Delete/Factory Reset" process and re-add the Bird Buddy selecting a 2ghz Wifi. Some routers will need additional setup to expose a dedicated 2.4 SSID/Wifi.

@michellemakowski2122 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this helpful info l! I’ve been struggling to pair mine

@mr1pearl Жыл бұрын

For a second I thought this is going to be a squirrel 🐿feeder . Maybe you could take another rope tie it to the bird feeder then rope it off the tree to pull it away from the rail 🤷

@KD-_- 8 ай бұрын

Remember bird watching goes both ways

@BadgerlandBirding 8 ай бұрын

👀

@tedbergen2190 6 ай бұрын

Based on the comments and lack of instructions that come with the product I fear this is going to be a problematic setup and experience with a product that uses well established technology. Can’t understand why there are so many caveats to setting up

@BadgerlandBirding 6 ай бұрын

What do you mean?

@rjf4896 Жыл бұрын

I have had the worst experience in my life with this company. On all levels they are a fail. Proceed w caution!

@philunger8926 Жыл бұрын

Same and birds are coming quickly but no picture 😢 I don’t understand why?

@christineo6845 6 ай бұрын

Absolutely agree there’s no way to contact them. There’s nowhere to leave a review they make it impossible to get in touch with them and they do not return your email. This place is a joke and it’s overpriced. Find a Camera any camera but this one by bird buddy…

@gregoryeditor6500 Жыл бұрын

To complicated for me. I am happy with my window bird feeders and recording the bird and squirrel action with my Sony CX-405 camera on a tripod for hours and hours.

@rickweaver7997 Жыл бұрын

Get rid of that generic bird seed because it's junk. Use safflower and no squirrels. Safflower will eliminate 99% of any squirrel issues.

@barbarasalera28 Жыл бұрын

Do not buy this. The solar roof did not work. Customer service is horrible and refused to send new solar roof or let me return for a refund. Absolutely horrible product and company.

@gregwhatshisname 6 ай бұрын

Garbage. Terrible customer service and support. Ours lasted less than 6 months. Now BB wants me to videotape the unit not accepting a charge. Additionally, do not get the solar panel. It does not keep the camera charged. It's total garbage.