Latest news with #Birdfy
Buzz Feed
18-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
27 Home Items Amazon Customers Are Loving July 2025
Amazon has a list of products called "Movers and Shakers," which is pretty much just fancy talk for things that are currently ~trending,~ Here are some of the most useful and loved home products on the list this week: A handheld cooling mist fan so you can spritz-spritz that heat to the curb, like it deserves! Because YOU deserve to be calm, COOL, and totally refreshed, no matter what Mr. Sun is up to. Promising review: "This battery-powered handheld spray bottle fan has been an absolute game changer for hot days! I bought it for an outdoor summer event, but now I keep it with me anytime I'm outside for extended periods—especially with a toddler in tow. The fan is surprisingly powerful for its size, and the misting function adds a refreshing burst of coolness that really helps beat the heat. Just fill it with water, press the button, and enjoy the breeze and mist combo. It's especially great for theme parks, beach days, outdoor workouts, or waiting in long lines. The design is lightweight and easy to hold, and the battery life lasts way longer than I expected. Plus, it's sturdy enough to survive being tossed in a bag or dropped a couple of times." —Balanced Behavior MamaPrice: $13.99+ (available in six colors and a 2-pack) A BIG bag of wild bird food so you can fully embrace your birding era and convince more feathered friends that *your* bird feeder is where it's at. Promising review: "The bag is smaller than I thought but weight is weight! My birds LOVE it! I have the Birdfy feeder and get to see them in life action eating the food. I have about 20 birds frequenting my feeder every day. I will be buying again (just know the birds eat the sunflower seeds first)." —Christina CruzPrice: $12.48 A cool-mist humidifier you and your houseplant babies will love because it helps keep everyone happy and hydrated. (Your succulent called: They approve this purchase.) Promising review: "This humidifier is great! We bought 2 of these this past winter when our winter colds and early spring allergies were at their worst. They each work well in the bedroom and in our kitchen and living room. Even helped our dog who had a very dry nose and was really sneezy to feel better quickly. I bought them to replace other brand cool mist humidifiers that didn't last more than a year or 2 and were so difficult to keep clean. The design is such that you can easily clean and dry them in between uses. It's nice that this model is "smart" and we can make adjustments from the app but that was not the reason for purchase. We wanted easy to clean and the ability to easily change out the filter. Happy so far. We have not yet tried using any essential oil in ours but will try that soon." —Amy TPrice: $29.99+ (available in five styles and three colors) An Oxo salad spinner — listen, life is too short to *not* give your veggies and fruits a good wash followed by a mini roller coaster ride. Lots of reviewers came to *this* one after their original spinners broke, and they aren't ever going back! Promising review: "I had a salad spinner that was another brand that just did not hold up. We ordered the Oxo brand because of the reviews and it has been great. Easy to use and spins out the lettuce great. You can also wash fruit and spin it to make them last longer. Overall this is the best salad spinner for the money!" —Bryan L. CappsPrice: $24.99+ (available in four styles) A Zevo flying insect trap because you know what can make your kitchen feel brand new overnight? NO MORE ANNOYING BUGS. I've had one of these in my kitchen for years because — as you can see — fruit flies are the bane of my existence. Super non-gross to change out the sticky pad, and the little buggers are drawn in by the light rather than me having to worry about spraying pesticide in the same place where I make my food. Promising review: " was skeptical, but the Zevo plug-in bug trap completely won me over. We had a sudden wave of fruit flies in the kitchen (classic summer problem), and within 24 hours of plugging this in, we noticed a major difference. After a few days—basically zero bugs. It's totally silent, there's no smell, and it's way more discreet than a fly strip or zapper. The light is soft and not obnoxious, and I love that it catches bugs on a hidden sticky pad facing the wall—no gross visuals. Plus, it feels safer than sprays around pets or food." —Piper $19.97 A mulberry silk pillowcase which can help keep your hair from tangling overnight and that many reviewers swear keeps them much cooler than their nonsilk cases. Promising review: "Rich colors and well-made with excellent invisible zipper. They're cooler than standard pillowcases, and they reduce the amount of tangles caused as you sleep. They wash very well, too!" —AnnieBPrice: $8.86+ (available in four sizes, 24 colors, and packs of two) A Gorilla Grip shower/bathtub mat if you're tired of *not* feeling like you're stepping into a spa experience when it's time to rinse off the day. Promising review: "This is the best bath mat that I've ever had. It has quick and excellent grip, excellent quality material. I love the look and the color. I'm so glad that I purchased this one." —Amazon CustomerPrice: $24.99+ (available in 20 colors and in packs of two) An oscillating floor fan because when the summer heat gets too intense, every bit of breeze helps. Promising review: "Love this fan because of the simplicity and classic rotating design. When I initially turned it on, I was worried it was too loud, but I have since grown really attached to the sound. It provides a white noise background so that there isn't just piercing silence, especially useful for falling asleep. It blows a lot of air as well, enough for even a living room, although I use it in my office and bedroom. I pretty much keep this thing on all hours of the day since I bought it." —EYEBYEPrice: $44.99 A Jackery Explorer portable power station strong enough to power several appliances, including AC units and fridges. Whether you're camping, glamping, or just trying to make it through the next random power outage (🙋🏻♀️), this lil' tough guy has got your back! Promising review: "I have several Jackery products, and this one is my newest. I had a chance to use it camping, where it powered my portable fridge and diesel heater, and it worked really well. I recently used it during a random power outage to keep my home fridge running for four hours (when the power came back on). After nearly four hours, the unit still had 80% power remaining. It should be noted that Jackery changed the charging port design slightly from the last generation of solar generators, and my older solar saga 100-watt panels would not pair with the unit to charge it. Really happy with the newer tech in the unit and its functionality. For its capabilities, it's not too heavy and packs easily into my vehicle without taking up needed space. Will be purchasing more Jackery equipment in the future." —Jeff $799+ (available in two sizes) And a portable neck fan for those many, many outdoor adventures you'll have this summer, where a floor fan can't lend you a hand. (Er, neck?) Promising reviews: "This neck fan is amazing! It's so light you won't even know you are wearing it. It comes with chargers, and a charge will last all day! It has the speeds, and the air is ice cold, which is amazing and relieves the heat! The price of this fan is better than most! The air circulates down your neck, making it a comfortable breeze." —ShannanPrice: $26.99+ (available in eight colors) A set of slim velvet hangers to help free up some room in overcrowded closets if you're currently using those thick wooden or plastic hangers. Bonus: These also prevent clothes from slipping off onto the floor! Promising review: "These hangers have a thin design, meaning you can fit more clothing into your closet. They are nonslip. They are sturdy but lightweight, enough not to weigh down your closet rod. I bought them for all the closets in my home. I suggest you buy at least two sets." —CottageDesignsByErinPrice: $15.29+ (available in nine colors and three pack sizes) A two-pack of collapsible waterproof laundry baskets reviewers love for their sturdiness and the durable handles that make "oops, I forgot to do laundry for a week or two" a more manageable task. Promising review: "I replaced my kids' laundry baskets with these. They are one of my new favorite purchases! They are so sturdy and stay upright. I will often have wet towels or clothes on the top of them to dry before placing them in and it stays upright under their weight. They are large and can fit at least two loads in them. I love the look of them and they are a nice thick quality which I wasn't expecting. The best part is when I'm lugging them down two flights of stairs to the basement I can loop my arm thru the handle and carry them on my shoulders. I highly recommend them and can't tell you the number of times I have thought about how much I love them." —MariePrice: $14.99+ for two (available in four sizes and four colors) A waterproof mattress protector no one thinks they need until they do. Fun summer drink season is upon us, and while I fully support sipping your ice-cold beverage cuddled up in bed, you and your mattress will be grateful for a super-easy cleanup in the unfortunate event that you spill a drop or a hundred. Promising review: "This is a great product! The material is soft and comfortable, which I really appreciate, especially for something that's also fully waterproof. It doesn't feel stiff or crinkly like some other covers can. The mattress cover offers full protection—it completely encases the mattress and zips all the way around. The zipper is sturdy and smooth, making it easy to put on and take off without hassle. It fits well and stays in place without bunching up." —Amazon CustomerPrice: $18.99+ (available in sizes twin–California king, including options for RV king, short queen, super queen, and sleeper sofa queen, and multipacks) A two-pack of telescopic fly swatters if you're tired of the really smart bugs sitting *just* out of reach of your plain ol' one-size fly swatters. THEY CAN'T HIDE FROM THESE: They expand up to 25 inches! Promising review: "Best in the game. I've had these for 1 year+ and I was moved to come back and leave a good review. The quality makes a difference. I've bought cheaper ones before and they are no good." —Priscilla UPrice: $6.59 for two Some reusable rug grippers because slip and slides are for outdoor heat waves in the grass, not in your house when you're on the way to grab a midnight snack. Promising review: "Got this to keep our new Turkish rug in place. My rug is close to 4 x 6 and I trimmed the gripper just a wee bit so it would fit without showing. My floors are luxury vinyl planks and this gripper holds it in place! I have two 30 lb dogs that run around and play on it and it still won't budge. The rug company tried to sell me something similar for literally 10x the price. So glad I got this instead!" —Amy $6.99+ (available in tons of sizes and shapes) A cervical memory foam neck pillow that's gone viral on TikTok for a reason: Reviewers SWEAR BY IT. What better way to get your bed in tip-top summer napping shape than by optimizing your pillow game? Promising review: "The pillow is firm yet so soft. It has adjustable heights on either side of the pillow so it makes it ideal for different sleepers. The memory foam is a dream to sleep on. l placed a silk pillowcase on mine and it makes it that much more comfortable." —jack spielman Price: $33.99+ (available in five sizes and 12 colors) A tube of cockroach gel bait to finally kiss that annoying cockroach problem, sayonara FOR GOOD. No odor, no annoying stains, just pure roach-killin' powers you'll be so glad you threw in your cart. Promising review: "I don't ever write reviews but if there are people out there who are battling cockroaches you NEED THIS! I have had my house sprayed several times, it hasn't I decided to try this product out and it's worked better then the 300 bucks I spent on someone to come out and 'take care of the problem'. I would buy this product over and over again, as it really is that good!! I applied the bait to many areas in my house last night and the results showing already are incredible! Not even 24 hours later!!" —MWPrice: $26.93 for a pack of four tubes A Bissell multipurpose carpet and upholstery cleaner reviewers swear by for carpets, car seats and car seats (iykyk), rugs, and anything else upholstered that has been through any rough summertime oopsies and spills. A pair of Fiskars pruning shears if you've been putting off some lawn work because your old tools are "shearly" too dull to go up against your bushes. (But rest assured, these beauties aren't! They have over 5,000 5-star reviews!) Promising review: "These garden shears to be high-quality tools that work well, particularly for pruning roses, with blades that stay sharp even after repeated use and cut through branches easily. They are easy to use, especially with one hand, and offer good value for money. Very happy with this purchase. I bought two pair!" —AJ NashPrice: $13.56 A pack of matching frames your soon-to-be gallery wall will thank you for putting in the cart. Promising review: "I used these to frame some of my children's artwork they did at school to have above my TV in the living room. I am so happy! The little hanging things work amazing! It was easy to put the art in the frames, and the back holds the frames very securely. And I love that the front is plastic instead of glass so I don't have to worry about anything shattering." —Sarah McLeroy Price: $18.99+ (available in 19 sizes and seven colors) Some comfy, breathable sheets to make sleeping in the too-hot summer months more bearable. Promising review: "I recently purchased the queen size four-piece sheet set and have been extremely pleased with my purchase. The sheets are incredibly soft and comfortable, making for a luxurious night's sleep. The fitted sheet has deep pockets, ensuring a secure fit on my mattress without slipping off. Additionally, the sheets wash well and maintain their softness after several washes. The four-piece set includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases, providing great value for the price. Overall, I highly recommend the queen size four-piece sheet set for anyone looking for high-quality, comfortable sheets at an affordable price." —Permelia ThomasPrice: $24.99+ (available in sizes twin–California king, including split king sizes, and 45 colors) A set of four hotel-quality towels that'll take self-care past the "next level" and straight to the penthouse of at-home luxury. If you're like me and say, "These are fine" about something you use every single day... this is your sign to join me in ordering some new towels. Because we deserve it. Promising review: "Soft and absorbent, not too thick for easy drying. Look beautiful on the towel bar, but get the job done. Dimensions are generous. I'm very pleased!" —YellowroseoftexasPrice: $36.99+ for a set of four towels (available in 15 colors and various other sets) Some double-hook shower curtain rings so you can hang your shower curtain and liner ~separately~ which makes it so much easier to keep everything neat and tidy. (Especially helpful if you're about to go on a pre-vacay top-to-bottom house-cleaning spree.) Promising review: "I absolutely love these shower hooks!! I bought them approximately 6 months ago and they remain in great condition, even in a humid bathroom with little ventilation. They are sturdy and easy to use, as well as aesthetically pleasing! Highly recommend and worth the price! Having hoods for both the inner and outer curtain make such a big difference when cleaning or showering." —Gaby BurgosPrice: $5.30+ for a pack of 12 (available in 11 colors) A set of two down-alternative pillows to replace your flat-as-a-pancake situations and give you the OPTIMAL sleep you deserve! Also, peak guests-coming-to-stay season is upon us, so check on your guest pillow stash, too. Promising review: "Typically I end up buying pillows in the clearance bin at HomeGoods or buy a multipack at Sam's Club, but I figured I'm getting too old not to have good pillows. I saw these had amazing reviews so I decided to give them a try. I am not disappointed at all! They are soft enough to be really comfortable, but firm enough that they don't end up flat or your head doesn't get swallowed up by them. They turned out to be exactly what I had hoped for with regard to comfort and quality. I'm glad I spent the money to buy these." —RUINER41Price: $49.99+ (available in three sizes) An oscillating Dreo tower fan with four speeds if you're tired of the stagnant air getting you down and need a little easy ~breezy~ quick fix. Promising review: "This fan is fantastic. I can't believe I waited so long to put a fan in my office. My office has been way too hot all week and was way too hot when I plugged it in earlier today, and now it feels cool. It didn't change the temperature one single degree but I feel cool now. It's a huge fan and it came in a huge box. It took maybe three minutes to put the stand on it and get it started. Remote control worked perfectly wit the first use. I have it oscillating, set to level 2, and every time it hits me, it feels icy cold. Wildly effective. Level 2 is very quiet. On level 4, it's a pretty loud droning noise, but it also is moving a huge amount of air, so I understand. I would recommend this to anyone." —Regular DudePrice: $79.99+ (available in four colors) A folding nonslip step stool for those of us who are ~vertically challenged~ and want to have access to more than just the bottom 5 feet of our living spaces. Promising review: "Great little step stool. Works great for me and my kiddo. Helps her reach the sink and me to reach the higher cabinets. I love how it folds up and stashes away in a corner until needed so it's not in the way." —VictoriaPrice: $8.99+ (available in six sizes and 19 colors) And finally, a 100% pure memory foam travel pillow to optimize your relaxation time while you're on long plane, car, or train rides. Summer travel season means more traffic and longer commutes, so might as well be comfy! Promising review: "No complaints. Fits well and super soft. Used on an 9hr flight over seas. Worth the money, product is sturdy enough to keep your neck happy and pain free. Washed it in the washer when I returned and did great." —LilliePrice: $15.86+ (available in 15 colors)
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Forbes
AI Bird Feeders Are The Latest Tech Toy You Didn't Know You Needed
Bird Buddy, a smart camera bird feeder, uses an AI-powered camera feeder to detect when birds land, identifies the species, takes their photos and organizes them in a collection. (Photo by) Getty Images A funny thing happened on the way to mass bird extinction: Backyard bird feeders like, Bird Buddy and Birdfy, started booming. It makes sense if you pull out your binoculars. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, North America has lost nearly three billion birds since 1970. Yet during that same bleak period, birdwatching (especially the backyard variety) has become something of a national obsession. It likely started with pandemic cabin fever and a flock of TikTok naturalists but it's fledged into the rise of tech toys that put AI-assisted cameras and connected apps on bird feeders so you can watch your fluttery friends from anywhere. I spent way too much time recently live-streaming the Eagle Cam, which chronicles the exploits of two juvenile bald eagles, Gizmo and Sunny, from Big Bear, California. Now that they've left the nest, I thought I'd see what's available for home birders. Birdfy showcases their bird feeders with built-in cameras during 2025 CES Unveiled, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Jack Dempsey) Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved For sure it's a crowded market, with competitors like Bird Buddy, Birdfy, PerchMe, PeckPerk and Soliom offering camera-equipped feeders at various price points and with a stunning range of options. You've got solar roof panels that power the tech, squirrel-proof porches, built-in antennae for better wifi and AI recognition to identify whatever bird flies up to the perch. And while some birdhouses are cheaper and perhaps better at keeping squirrels away (and PerchMe has cool wings in its design), the clear favorite among reviewers and testers is Bird Buddy's Smart Bird Feeder Pro. It's got built-in AI software that identifies over 1,000 types of birds, has a large porch for birds to hang out on, and a high-res (5MP) camera and built-in mic that gives you some of the most vivid images you'll ever see of your own backyard. Right now you can find them for just under $200. An exhibitor holds up the Bird Buddy smart camera bird feeder during CES Unveiled before the start of the CES tech show, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. The AI-powered camera bird feeder notifies you when a bird is feeding, takes pictures and organizes the photos. (AP Photo/John Locher) Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. My father-in-law and a few of my friends have Bird Buddies and I love that the unit sends 'postcards' to your phone whenever a bird lands on the roost. There's video, too, and you can even watch slow-mo replays of wrens and cardinals alighting on the feeder. What's also nice is that while most smart feeders require a paid plan to unlock full features (like video or photo archives), a business model that has irked more than a few buyers, Bird Buddy's Pro version is more transparent. While it does offer a subscription (for added storage and features), the free version still delivers plenty of functionality out of the box—something that can't be said for all competitors. Just be warned: Feeders like Bird Buddy quickly get addictive. You come home in the afternoon wondering whether that little yellow chickadee came back for some seeds. It's like your own backyard drama: Most American homes witness somewhere between 10 to 15 bird species flying around over the course of the year. For anyone curious about birds but not quite ready to memorize field guides, a smart feeder like Bird Buddy makes it easy to start paying attention and maybe even caring about these beautiful creatures. With the right setup, your backyard bird feeder little nature documentary, only you get to be the narrator. ALSO ON FORBES Forbes The Indoor Garden That's Foolproof, Gorgeous, And Actually Works By David Hochman Forbes 'Jaws' Turns 50: The Summer Blockbuster That Still Dominates Pop Culture By David Hochman Forbes How One Buzzy New Los Angeles Restaurant Solved The $25 Burger Problem By David Hochman
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Bringing the Bird Side of Life to All: Birdfy's Breakthrough at the 2025 Biggest Week
At the 2025 Biggest Week in American Birding, Birdfy showed it's more than a smart bird feeder — it's a movement redefining modern birding. CALIFORNIA, CA, UNITED STATES, May 23, 2025 / / -- At the 2025 Biggest Week in American Birding, Birdfy once again demonstrated that it's more than just a smart bird feeder brand — it's a movement making birding more inclusive, accessible, and joyful for everyone. Represented by Birdfy Brand Ambassador Gary Herritz — a wildlife photographer and Birdability Captain — the team brought both innovation and heart to thousands of attendees. As the only smart birding brand on-site, Birdfy stood out through both its technology and its meaningful human connection. Redefining Accessibility in Birding Gary, known for his advocacy in accessible birding, has worked closely with Birdfy and nonprofit partner Birdability to expand the definition of who birding is for. Their shared mission: birding should be open to everyone — regardless of physical ability, background, or experience. Since first connecting at the 2024 Biggest Week, Birdfy and Birdability have partnered to remove barriers to birding, leveraging intuitive technology and inclusive education to welcome new participants — especially those often left out of traditional outdoor recreation. Together, they're helping shift public perceptions: birding isn't a niche or elite hobby — it's a lifestyle anyone can enjoy. Gary's continued presence at events across the country has become a symbol of that message in action. Technology with a Human Touch Birdfy's booth this year was a hub of discovery. On display were their latest innovations: the Birdfy Feeder 2 Pro, the eco-friendly Birdfy Feeder Bamboo, and the smart, design-forward Birdfy Nest Polygon. These products drew attention not only for their features but for the care behind their design. Visitors of all ages and abilities stopped by to explore, share stories, and connect with Gary — many returning from previous events. His deep knowledge, warm personality, and patient engagement made the brand feel personal and approachable. From spontaneous chats to thoughtful demos, the booth became more than a product showcase — it became a space where bird lovers felt understood, heard, and inspired. Building Community on the Ground Gary was honored with the Golden Hat — a mark of recognition given to official trip leaders at the festival. But more importantly, he led with empathy. As a Birdability Captain, he ensured every walk he guided felt welcoming and empowering, particularly for those new to birding or facing mobility challenges. His approach reminded participants that birding doesn't require fancy equipment or expert status. With tools like Birdfy, even those who can't always get outdoors can still enjoy nature from their window — experiencing joy, wonder, and connection in their everyday life. Looking Ahead: Innovation with Inclusion Birdfy continues to lead with a clear belief: the more people who experience birds, the better the world becomes. With smart, user-friendly products and a growing network of community partners, Birdfy is transforming birding into an accessible, enriching experience for all. Whether enabling backyard discovery or supporting inclusive outdoor walks, Birdfy is building a future where birding belongs to everyone. In 2026, Birdfy will return to the Biggest Week with even more stories, technology, and ways to inspire people to embrace the bird side of life — not just as a hobby, but as a way of living connected, curious, and in tune with nature. For more about Birdfy's work or potential partnership, visit or contact [email protected] Birdfy Press Netvue [email protected] Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
New York Post
15-05-2025
- New York Post
Catch birds mid-gossip with this viral smart feeder camera at 42% off
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. Forget Netflix, your family group text, and that one friend who won't stop messaging you. It's time to look up and appreciate the meaningful creatures in life: birds. Birding might sound like something only retirees do, but it can actually be a rewarding and relaxing way to spend your time, watching birds nourish their souls and their bellies right outside your window. On a stressful call or facing a deadline that feels like it might send you over the edge? Don't let it. Slow down and let nature help. The NETVUE Birdfy AI Smart Bird Feeder, currently 42% off, provides a relaxing escape. It comes equipped with a camera that identifies birds as they arrive, turning your feeder into a front-row seat to nature. Not only will you enjoy the hot goss birds singing throughout the day, but it also makes a thoughtful gift, especially for someone who may be stuck in bed or unable to get outside and experience nature for themselves. This smart feeder auto-captures visiting birds, identifies over 6,000 species and even lets you know if that feathery guest is actually a squirrel trying to sneak a snack. And if it is? You can tell it to scram in real-time from your phone. Too busy working to keep an eye out? The Birdfy streams and sends real-time alerts straight to your phone, like 'Northern cardinal spotted at 8:04 a.m.,' so you don't skip a beat. Ready to sit back and enjoy the Blue Jays? Now you can. Amazon Birdwatching goes high-tech with the NETVUE Birdfy AI Smart Bird Feeder, which uses a built-in camera and artificial intelligence to identify more than 6,000 bird species. The weatherproof feeder sends real-time alerts to your phone, captures HD video day or night, and stores footage in the cloud, making it a standout gift for nature lovers. For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America's go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We're not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren't already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we're known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change. Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted.
New York Times
08-05-2025
- New York Times
First We Fell in Love With a Smart Bird Feeder. Then This Smart Bird House Stole Our Hearts.
Grant Clauser/NYT Wirecutter Unlike hanging a bird feeder, hanging a nesting box in the yard is no guarantee that a pair of birds will settle in to put down roots. Birds' nesting habits vary by species, and species vary by region and habitat. But there are many other factors, such as the height and location of the box, competition, predators … in other words, the magic might not happen. Birdfy offers some guidance on this. According to the guidelines provided by the National Wildlife Federation, the Birdfy bird houses are fit for Eastern and Western bluebirds and sparrows, and you might attract chickadees and some wrens. The weatherproof Wi-Fi camera, powered by a solar panel, is completely hidden inside the box. Grant Clauser/NYT Wirecutter It took about a week, but eventually my phone chirped with a notification — something was happening. I looked at the video and first saw a small beak — and then the whole feathered head and body cautiously investigating the box. It was a common house sparrow, probably one of the many that hang out in my nearby juniper tree. Even with the camera's built-in light turned off (I worried it would spook the birds), the video was bright and sharp. When you press the play button on the app for recordings or live video, the image takes five to seven seconds to load, which is longer than with any of my home-security cameras. But this birdcam is located 200 feet from the Wi-Fi router inside our people house. You can then download it to your phone to share on social media, and it becomes part of a 'story' on the Birdfy app, which lets you track the nesting progress of your tenants. A side door gives you easy access if you need to adjust the camera or clean out the birdbox after nesting season. Grant Clauser/NYT Wirecutter The nesting box used the same Birdfy app as the company's feeders, and it functions in the same way. Rachel Cericola explains the app's features in her review of the feeders here. Nest building begins! Birdfy After a week, the bird box didn't draw any additional attention, despite the housing shortage in my backyard. I thought maybe the close proximity to another (occupied) nesting box might be the issue, so I moved it to a different location on the other side of the yard. Within a day a pair of bluebirds started checking it out. For several days, a male bluebird would show up every morning for house tours, sticking his head in as if taking measurements for a sofa. Then one morning I checked in via the app to see a few twigs arranged on the floor of the house — the couple had apparently signed the lease and started to move in. The solar panel kept the camera's battery at full charge, even through overcast days. Grant Clauser/NYT Wirecutter In addition to being transfixed by the birds' bobbing and twitching inside the small space, I'm charmed by their delicate chirps. The camera's microphone easily picked up conversations between the bird couple as they planned their life together in their new temporary home. In a few weeks I expect the gentle tweets will be replaced by the caterwauling of chicks screaming for breakfast. All in all, the Birdfy nesting box met my expectations. The camera images look good, and it maintained connection to my Wi-Fi router. According to the battery meter in the app, the solar panel kept the battery fully charged — even through cloudy days — though increased chick activity may draw on it more. And the whole shebang held up well through spring storms with heavy wind and rains. In prior years I've enjoyed watching all of the activity around my non-camera nesting boxes, and I've always wanted to know what was going on inside them. Hopefully the happy couple who've claimed this one will continue their family building. And I'll get to watch the feedings and fledging as the season continues, and I will post updates to this article as things progress. This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
