The Postcard Creation Process

Birdbuddy was crafted with a specific vision: to deliver beautiful bird photos to your fingertips every day. Unlike traditional trail cams, which capture every movement that can result in hundreds of subpar images, Birdbuddy's essence lies in curating exceptional moments.

The Postcard Creation Process

1. Detection: A bird has to be near the center of the perch to trigger the laser motion detector. This precise positioning ensures that our camera captures the bird in an optimal pose, setting the stage for a great photo. A word of caution: While we encourage creativity, note that DIY or non-Birdbuddy add-ons can impact the proximity of the birds. Since our camera is calibrated specifically for Birdbuddy-designed systems, if birds perch too far, the camera might not get triggered.
 

2. Recording & AI Assessment: Once our motion detector springs into action, the camera will start capturing both photos and videos. What happens next is a blend of cutting-edge technology and our passion for birds. The AI model takes the reins. If during a session all photos are found blurry or if the bird is indiscernible, the model will discard these photos.
                                

                                   
Behind the Scenes: Our AI Model in Action

Our AI model, a product of intense research and dedication, is doing its best to sieve out the mundane and present you with only the best pictures. It aims to provide quality over quantity: if a bird's visit is fleeting and results in blurry shots, our AI will try not to include them in the postcard.

A photo will generally earn the AI's nod of approval only if it encapsulates an in-focus view of a bird where at least one eye and the beak are discernible. This rigorous selection process is the reason why, at times, you may notice the "taking postcards" status on the app but end up without any new postcards from that particular session.

 

Post-Capture Analysis

After a photo is taken and selected, it's processed by our bird detection and classification system. First, the detection model identifies individual birds and their positions within the image. Each detected bird is then passed through a classification model, which evaluates the visual features and predicts the species.

The classifier always returns five possible species for each bird, ranked by confidence. While the top two suggestions are typically the most relevant, the remaining three ensure that the system always provides some result—even in uncertain cases. 

While no AI system is perfect, our models are continuously learning and improving, increasing the accuracy of identifications with each new photo.
 

Session Length and Camera Cooldown

Our Birdbuddy feeders have been designed to deliver beautiful moments of bird visitors. Here's how the system functions in real life:

• Proximity Sensor Activation: When a bird lands on the feeder, the proximity sensor is triggered, launching a postcard session. This session can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, based on the bird's interactions.
• Session Duration: If no bird activity is detected within the first 45 seconds, the session ends without any upload. However, if birds are present within this timeframe, the device captures videos and generates potential postcards.
• AI Analysis: Post-session, our AI evaluates all the captures. It selects and uploads only those images that meet the quality standards. This means that even if multiple images are captured, only the best shots make it to the final cut.
• Cooldown Phase: After each session, the camera enters a cooldown period, which can range from 1 minute to an hour (the latter is only the case if "power saver mode" is activated). This period is essential for preventing camera overheating and conserving battery life. During this phase, no postcards will be generated, regardless of new bird activity on the feeder during this time. Birdbuddy users have some influence over this process with power modes.

Given this process, the bird you may have noticed on the feeder that didn't get captured might have visited during the cooldown period after a previous session was completed, or the images captured didn't pass the AI's quality threshold. We continuously work on firmware updates to enhance the sensitivity and quality of captures, striving to miss fewer visitor moments.
 

Postcard Tips

To ensure that our model has the finest bird photos from your Birdbuddy to choose from, consider these guidelines:

1. Fill the Seed Tray to the Brim: Max out the seed tray. When there's ample seed, birds are likely to land in ideal positions for the motion sensor and camera.
    
2. Adequate Lighting and Orientation: Poor lighting can compromise photo quality. If Birdbuddy is in a low-light spot, consider relocating it. Need tips to optimize image clarity? 
   → Check out our tips for optimal photo quality 📸🐦
   → Check out our ultimate placement guide 
    
3. Bird Acclimatization: Birds can be wary of new objects. At first, they might briefly visit or avoid the feeder. Given time, they'll become more familiar and linger, allowing for better photos.
    
4. Stay Updated: We're regularly refining our camera and the bird-detection AI. Always keep your camera updated with the latest firmware to capture the best images.
    
5. Obstruction Issues: Birds might occasionally block the camera or, post-rain, mud may cloud the lens. Regularly clean the camera lens with a dry cloth to maintain clarity.
    
6. Set Your Location: Our AI relies on your set location for better bird identification. Make sure it's accurate to improve photo results.
    
7. Sensor Sensitivity with Updates: With the latest firmware, the motion sensor is finely tuned and might be highly sensitive. If you notice birds visiting but aren't getting postcards, check for potential disturbances. Items like fluttering leaves on a nearby tree branch or any constantly moving objects in the camera's view could interfere. Eliminating such distractions can enhance photo capture.