CONCORD, N.H. — Marin Plank initially had little interest in birds when she gifted her husband a camera-equipped bird feeder for his birthday. However, by the time Christmas rolled around, her passion had significantly shifted, and most of the presents she received were themed around birds, including books, stickers, and notecards.
“This is who I am now,” she shared.
Friends and acquaintances have been stopping Plank in the street to chat about the bird images she posts on Facebook. Her newfound interest prompted extensive research into the best birdseed mixes, and she even signed up for a premium membership at a store that delivers large bags of seed straight to her home in Delaware.
This enthusiasm bloomed after she received her first postcard from the Bird Buddy app, which allows users to download or share pictures and videos of birds in their vicinity.
“You just have to click, and then there’s a bird right in your face, posing for you, like your own personal performance,” she explained. “Their little eyes and quirky faces completely captivated me, and now I’m all in as a bird lover.”
Although bird populations in North America are facing significant declines, the hobby of birdwatching is emerging as more popular than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic drove many outside to seek out birds, while modern smart feeders that capture photographs and videos of backyard visitors have allowed others to engage in birdwatching without leaving their homes.
“It really offers great value with minimal effort,” said Franci Zidar, founder and CEO of Bird Buddy, noting that the company has sold 350,000 smart feeders since 2022. “For those serious about birdwatching, it can be an intensive hobby, but there are 20 to 30 species that commonly visit U.S. backyards that many people are unaware of or fail to appreciate.”
Along with Bird Buddy, other companies like Birdfy have developed similar camera-mounted feeders. Zidar pointed out that while traditional feeders fulfill people’s desire to nurture animals, smart feeders enhance this experience.
“It combines two beautiful concepts: the need to care for nature and the ability to see and appreciate it more openly,” he elaborated.
Due to its success, Bird Buddy is broadening its product range to include a petite flower-shaped camera known as Petal, along with Wonder Blocks that can be built into habitats for butterflies and other insects. The announcement was made on Monday at the CES, previously the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, with a Kickstarter campaign scheduled for this spring.
“Let’s keep things simple. If we make it overly complicated, people won’t engage. Our goal is to provide value by simply pointing a camera into the enchanting natural world outside,” Zidar commented. “We’ll present the excitement and the activities happening right in your backyard.”
In Ipswich, Massachusetts, Judy Ashley, who already had 11 bird feeders, purchased a Bird Buddy last year. She removed some older feeders to attract more birds to her new camera, particularly hoping to photograph a rare yellow-throated warbler that has recently frequented her yard. She had success in capturing it on Monday.
“The detail you can see of the local birds is astounding, something you couldn’t grasp even with hours spent with binoculars,” she remarked. “You truly come to appreciate how magnificent nature is.”
Meanwhile, in Austin, Texas, Rachel Matthews owns three camera-equipped feeders, with one dedicated to attracting hummingbirds. Although she grew up around conventional bird feeders, the smart versions have rekindled her enthusiasm for birdwatching.
“I adore the camera’s capabilities; I notice details I’d never catch with my binoculars,” she expressed. “It’s phenomenal to see female cardinals with their red eyebrows and delicate feathers.”
In November, the National Audubon Society announced a collaboration with Bird Buddy aimed at raising awareness about bird conservation. According to Nicolas Gonzalez, a spokesperson for the Audubon Society, this partnership holds the promise of gathering valuable data from the company’s community science platform to support scientific research.
Plank has developed a fondness for specific birds visiting her feeder in Delaware, including a bold female Red-winged blackbird and a handsome tufted titmouse. The blue jays, in her view, resemble “drunk uncles.”
“I create personalities for them in my mind, and having them right in front of me doing their quirky antics has been so engaging,” she explained.
The notifications she receives on her phone have added to her enjoyment.
“Each alert feels like a little burst of happiness,” she admitted. “It’s a delightful reminder of this charming slice of the world existing all around us.”