Quick Start Guide

Your Bird Buddy has arrived! Hooray! 🎉

We are so excited for you to get started and use your Bird Buddy. Lots of curious and hungry birds are eagerly waiting, so let’s 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 you’ll 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 we’re always here to be your “wing buddy” every step of the way. 

Let’s get birding! 🐦

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.

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). 

Step 4: Pair your Camera Module with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Now, you’ll 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.

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. 

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.

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 it’s 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! 🙂