Smart bird feeders gain popularity and spark interest in bird-watching

At a time when North American bird populations are declining dramatically, the number of people watching them is increasing. While the coronavirus pandemic spurred many people to head outside in search of birds, smart bird feeders that snap photos and video of backyard visitors have brought the hobby indoors. Bird Buddy has sold 350,000 of its camera-equipped bird feeders since 2022 and is now developing Petal, a tiny flower-shaped camera, and Wonder Blocks, which can be assembled to provide habitat for butterflies and other insects. The company’s CEO says like Bird Buddy, the idea is to help people connect with nature they might otherwise overlook.