Your Bird Buddy has arrived! Hooray! ๐
We are so excited for you to get started and use your Bird Buddy. Lots of curious and hungry birds are eagerly waiting, so letโs get you set up for success! Follow along below for an easy, step-by-step guide to everything you need to know, and start thinking about the perfect spot to place your feeder in the meantime. Remember, you want this to be set where youโll get some nice pictures (think a flowery backdrop or one with greenery or a cool angle of your house) but, most importantly, where birds will feel comfortable paying a visit.
First download our Bird Buddy: Smart Bird Feeder app, which is designed to help you get started. We also have tons of tips, and weโre always here to be your โwing buddyโ every step of the way.
Visual Guidance
For a better understanding of the overall setup process, check out our short video tutorial.
If youโre a visual learner, see more of our set-up tutorial videos on YouTube.
Letโs get birding! ๐ฆ
Step 1: Charge First (and then unplug before continuing)
Start by charging the camera module for 2-4 hours using the included USB-C cable. During this time, a faint red LED light, which is located beneath the plastic above the button area, will blink approximately every 8 seconds. When it's fully charged, a solid green light will appear. Once unplugged, a blinking blue light indicates that the device is ready to pair.
Please note that on the initial charge, the LED might not illuminate right away due to low factory settings. However, as you follow the in-app pairing instructions, you'll be prompted when and how to turn on the camera. With a brief one-second button press, you should then soon notice a faint blue blinking LED, especially if you cup the area above the button with your hands. Sometimes the blue light will turn on automatically after a few hours of charging, which also means you can proceed with the pairing process.
Remember to unplug the camera before continuing with the next steps.
๐Charging Guide
๐ LED Light Guide
โ ๏ธ Troubleshooting
Step 2: Download the App
If you haven't yet, download the Bird Buddy: Smart Bird Feeder app from your app store, or scan the QR code provided in the box for a quicker download shortcut.
Step 3: Create an Account
Open the app and create your unique Bird Buddy account. Or you can use a third party login option (Facebook, Google, or Apple ID).
๐Account Creation Guide
Remember how you created your account; the next time you sign in, you'll have to pick the appropriate option: The "Sign in" option is for unique Bird Buddy accounts and the "Continue with" option is for third-party log-in options.
Step 4: Pair your Camera Module with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Now, youโll want to pair your camera module with the app on your mobile device via Bluetooth and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. Please note that the first pairing is done entirely through the Bird Buddy app and not directly through Bluetooth settings on your mobile device.
Once you sign in, the app will guide you through the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi pairing process; just click the "Pair your Feeder" button on the welcome screen (or "Add a Bird Buddy" in Settings, if you're adding a second camera).
Once the camera module is connected to the internet, it uses that connection to send pictures and videos to your mobile device. So double-check your Wi-Fi settings and let the app take you through the steps. For more guidance, you can watch the pairing video guide above or read through our step-by-step pairing guide.
On certain devices, the Bluetooth setup might prompt you to input a pairing code; this is not needed so you can just click "Pair".
The Bluetooth connection is only needed for the initial exchange of information, and you can disable Bluetooth on your mobile device once your Bird Buddy is securely connected to your Wi-Fi network.
๐ Connectivity and Connection Requirements
๐ The In-App Pairing Process Step-by-Step Guide
โ ๏ธ Troubleshooting
Step 5: Firmware Update
After Wi-Fi pairing is complete, the pairing process will direct you automatically to complete a firmware update of the camera module (which is different from software updates for the app). This step will skip on its own if the firmware is up to date already.
๐ More about Firmware Updates
โ ๏ธ Troubleshooting
Step 6: Place The Camera into the Housing and Take it Outside
Once the camera module is paired and updated, you can place the camera into the feeder. The app will help you to find a spot with a good internet signal so your live stream connection is good once you mount your feeder outside. You can test the live stream in the Feeder Settings to see if you're happy with the view.
๐Bird Buddy Assembly and Mounting Guide
๐ How to Test the Live Stream
๐ฟ๏ธ Tips for preventing squirrel damage
Step 7: Fill Your Feeder!
Fill your feeder with seed. There are plenty of different varieties of seeds you can use, but we have some recommendations you can check out, too.
Step 8: Feeding Time!
Now itโs time to wait for some bird friends to arrive! It can take a few days for birds to get used to a new feeder, so remember to be patient. See below for more information on the postcard collection process! ๐
๐How to Navigate App Features and Settings
๐Postcard (photos and videos) Collection Process
๐ More about our bird recognition model
More Help
If you have any questions or set up trouble at any time, feel free to look at our Troubleshooting &FAQ article or get in touch with our Support Team here. Weโre always happy to help a fellow birder! ๐๏ธ