Bird cams are fun for the whole family and chronicling the lives of backyard birds in this way is truly a wonderful experience. The camera is mounted well before the appearance of the first bird, so by the time she chooses that particular nesting house, she will not have to be disturbed.
The Basics of the Bird Cam
- Remove the back of the birdhouse and cut the wood piece in half. Connect the two edges together with hinges. Reattach the back piece on the bottom only and attach a clasp to close the top. Drill a nickel sized whole (to accommodate camera cords) an inch above the seam, and an inch from the right edge. Now, on the inside of the top flap afix a mounting bracket that will hold the camera, and remember it is going to be faced downward.
- If the camera does not have infrared, it'll need a light source. This can be accomplished by running a small light bulb into the box, using the same cord hole.
- Plug the power cord into a suitable GFI electric outlet. Run AV cable(s) from the camera to the television receiver or plug a small transformer into the camera that will send a wireless signal.
- With the power on check the focus of the camera by laying something an inch off the bottom of the birdhouse.
All of the equipment needed can be purchased at the local electronics store and the in-store personnel can be very helpful with any questions. The miniature cameras are frequently sold under trendy names like "nanny cam" or "spy cam", and the audio video cable and extension cord necessary are standard regulation.
If the equipment is hooked up through the VCR then what's happening in the birdhouse can be watched live. For the price of a hundred dollar transmitter, the camera can be set up to receive a wireless signal, eliminating the need for audio-video cables. This particular bird cam is rather basic and fancier set ups are available, but expensive equipment is not needed to capture riveting footage.
What to Expect From a Bird Cam
Because the camera is set up prior to the mother bird moving in, it's possible to follow the nest building from the very first twig. You'll watch the mother bird laying the eggs, tending them until they're hatched and then, possibly, calling upon the father for feeding. Different species offer a variety of sensational sights and multitudes of behavior. Some mother birds, for example, spend days of preparation prior to nudging the chicks to flight. A camera like this will record behaviors rarely seen by the average bird enthusiast, and running a tape at the same time allows for saving footage and later viewing.
A bird cam can be fun to share with friends and family, and Ornithologists will definitely enjoy them. Chronicling different birds has become very popular, and some bird cam owners report the same birds or their babies returning year after year.
Source: Birds and Blooms "Peek Inside a Birdhouse", Deb Mulvey (May 2005) pg.30
Valerie Modreski - Ms. Modreski has worked as a writer for over 30 years. Valerie began her career on the editorial staff of the Broward College academic ...
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