Home - AymenB98/Bird-Cafe GitHub Wiki

Welcome to the Bird-Cafe Wiki!

This repository contains the software required to create a smart bird feeder with a Raspberry Pi and some basic electronic components. When up and running, the feeder can take a photo when something approaches it, analyse the image, and identify whether or not a bird has landed at the feeder. If the picture taken is identified as a bird then the photo can then be automatically uploaded to Twitter on behalf of the user, either to show their Twitter followers or just keep a private log.

According to the RSPB, more than half of the households in the UK now feed birds at least once a week, and thanks to a scarcity of bird-friendly food caused by our vast urban landscapes it is something that birds now rely upon us for 1(https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/details.aspx?id=342483#:~:text=More%20people%20are%20putting%20food,at%20least%20once%20a%20week). Although many people believe garden birds do not need fed in the summer, the RSPB themselves say this is a myth and feeding should in fact take place all year round, with as many as two feeds a day in the harsher months during autumn and winter 2(https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/when-to-feed-garden-birds/). As well as being a necessity for the birds, feeding them is also something many people take joy from, with an estimated 3 million adults UK-wide participating in bird watching recreationally 3(https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/birdwatching/the-birdwatchers-code/). It can be fulfilling to see what turns up in your garden or on your windowsill when you're putting food out and the Bird Café can help you keep track of that.

It is also recommended to keep bird feeders clean by decontaminating them regularly with a 5% disinfectant solution 4(https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/keep-your-bird-table-healthy/#:~:text=Clean%20and%20wash%20your%20bird,to%20prevent%20droppings%20accumulating%20underneath). This is because over time droppings can accumulate around the feeder and spread disease between birds. To help keep visiting birds happy and healthy, our feeder provides reminders to the user to clean their feeder after a certain number of birds have visited.

Latest Version

Version 1.1 is now available! 🥳

Documentation for this version can be found at the following link: https://aymenb98.github.io/Bird-Cafe/html/index.html.

Watch our video below to find out all the latest on it, including a demo of how it works.

Full instructions on how to build and run it can be found in the build manual in our sidebar ➡️

Find more information on our team, marketing strategy, and project development in the rest of our pages 📑

Bibliography

[1] “Feeding the birds is more popular than ever,” RSPB.org, 16-Mar-2013. [Online]. Available: https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/details.aspx?id=342483#:~:text=More%20people%20are%20putting%20food,at%20least%20once%20a%20week. [Accessed: 18-Apr-2021].

[2] “Feeding Birds: When To Feed Garden Birds,” RSPB.org. [Online]. Available: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/when-to-feed-garden-birds/. [Accessed: 18-Apr-2021].

[3] “Watching birds: The Birdwatchers' Code,” RSPB.org. [Online]. Available: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/birdwatching/the-birdwatchers-code. [Accessed: 18-Apr-2021].

[4] “Preventing Bird Diseases Around Your Bird Feeding Table,” RSPB.org. [Online]. Available: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/keep-your-bird-table-healthy/#:~:text=Clean%20and%20wash%20your%20bird,to%20prevent%20droppings%20accumulating%20underneath. [Accessed: 18-Apr-2021].

Video thumbnail image created with assets from: http://clipart-library.com/free/youtube-play-button-transparent-png.html