Installing the camera on the Bird Buddy is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. The Bird Buddy is a compact device that allows you to watch, listen to, and identify birds from the comfort of your home. It comes with an HD camera that streams live footage directly to the Bird Buddy app on your smartphone or tablet.
What’s Included
Inside the box, you’ll find the following items:
- Bird Buddy device
- Power adapter
- Mounting hardware
- Quick start guide
The Bird Buddy device is the main unit that does all the work. It has the built-in camera, microphone, speaker, and computer vision technology to detect birds. The power adapter plugs into a standard wall outlet to provide power to the device.
The mounting hardware includes a bracket, screws, anchors, and strap to securely attach the Bird Buddy to a wall, fence, or deck railing. This allows you to position it in an ideal spot to capture bird activity.
The quick start guide provides illustrated instructions on getting started and using the basic features.
Picking a Location
When choosing where to mount your Bird Buddy, look for a spot that meets the following criteria:
- Within wireless range of your WiFi router (required for connectivity).
- Near trees, feeders, or baths where birds frequently visit.
- Has a clear line of sight – avoid obstructions like bushes.
- Protects the device from direct rain or sprinklers.
- Allows easy access to the power outlet.
Patios, decks, fences, exterior walls, and railings often work well. Ideally, position it about 5-10 feet from where birds will be active. Face the camera in the direction you most want to observe.
Mounting Your Bird Buddy
Once you’ve selected the ideal location, follow these steps to mount your Bird Buddy:
- Mark the placement of the bracket using a pencil. Use a level to ensure it will be straight.
- Drill pilot holes in the marked locations using a power drill and small drill bit.
- If you are drilling into brick, masonry, or plaster, use a hammer drill and masonry bit to drill the holes.
- Tap plastic anchors into the holes gently using a hammer, if needed.
- Position the bracket over the holes and insert the screws to secure it tightly.
- Slide the Bird Buddy onto the bracket arm and tighten the thumbscrew behind it to hold it snugly.
Take care not to overtighten the thumbscrew, but ensure the device is stable and won’t shift out of position.
Connecting the Power
With the Bird Buddy mounted, the next step is providing power to the unit:
- Plug the power adapter into a nearby electrical outlet.
- Connect the power cable into the micro USB port on the back of the Bird Buddy.
- The LED indicator on the front will illuminate to confirm it is receiving power.
Be sure to use the power adapter included with your Bird Buddy. Using an incompatible one risks damaging the device.
Downloading the App
You’ll need the Bird Buddy app on your smartphone or tablet to connect to the device and view the live video feed.
Download and install the app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Search for “Bird Buddy” and look for the app published by Bird Buddy Inc.
Connecting to WiFi
Before using the Bird Buddy, you’ll need to connect it to your WiFi network:
- Launch the Bird Buddy app.
- Tap “Add New Device”.
- Select your WiFi network name when prompted and enter the password.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to link the Bird Buddy.
Your Bird Buddy will now automatically connect to this network in the future. The app needs the WiFi connection to stream video and access bird identification features.
Using the App and Viewing Live Video
Once your Bird Buddy is powered on, connected to WiFi, and linked to the app, you’re ready to start viewing live birds!
Open the Bird Buddy app on your smartphone or tablet to start watching footage in real time from the HD camera. The video will stream whenever motion is detected to avoid wasting bandwidth when there’s no activity.
You can zoom, pan, and tilt the camera view using the on-screen controls. Bird Buddy’s built-in AI will automatically identify the species of birds that visit and log them in your activity feed.
The app also allows you to:
- Record videos and snapshots
- Turn the built-in spotlight on and off
- Activate the ultrasonic squirrel deterrent
- Adjust motion detection sensitivity
- Access cloud storage to store and share recordings
- Control multiple Bird Buddy cameras from one account
Explore all of the features and customize settings to your needs in the Bird Buddy app.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues getting your Bird Buddy up and running, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Camera not connecting to the app
- Make sure the Bird Buddy is connected to power and the LED light is on.
- Confirm the WiFi password entered in the app is correct.
- Try rebooting the Bird Buddy by unplugging and reconnecting the power adapter.
- Disable and re-enable WiFi on your smartphone, then reconnect to Bird Buddy’s network.
App can’t find Bird Buddy on network
- Double check that your smartphone/tablet is connected to the same WiFi network as the camera.
- Try restarting or reinstalling the Bird Buddy app.
- Forget the Bird Buddy in your phone’s WiFi settings, then set it up again.
Video stream is choppy
- Make sure your WiFi signal strength is strong in the location of the Bird Buddy.
- Test with your smartphone or tablet closer to the camera location and observe if video improves.
- Reduce other WiFi activity like streaming video during Bird Buddy use.
- Position your wireless router closer to the camera or add a range extender.
Motion detection isn’t working
- Open the app settings and adjust the motion detection sensitivity higher.
- Make sure the camera lens is clean and unobstructed.
- Try repositioning the camera or adjusting the tilt angle.
- Increase motion by hanging a bird feeder in the camera’s field of view.
Conclusion
Installing and setting up the Bird Buddy camera is quick and easy. By following the step-by-step process, you’ll have it mounted, powered on, connected to WiFi, and streaming live bird video to your smartphone or tablet in no time.
Optimizing the camera placement and settings takes a bit more trial and error, but a little tweaking goes a long way. Use the troubleshooting tips to resolve any issues you encounter.
With your Bird Buddy properly configured, you’ll be able to kick back and enjoy all of the action at your bird feeders, baths, houses, and gardens. Have fun identifying all the unique species that visit your yard!