How to Set Up a Backyard Bird Cam

Bird cams are specialized digital video cameras intended to transmit images of birds over the internet. One of the most famous of these

bird watching cam set-ups is the Kodak birdcam, which was installed at the Kodak Tower executive building in Rochester, New York to observe a nesting clutch of Peregrine falcons. The Kodak cam executes bird watching cam streaming with four high speed video inputs and an Ethernet output and has become a favorite educational tool for science teachers as well as a pleasurable activity for bird watching enthusiasts. Although the Kodak cam is an elaborate installation, basic bird cameras are within the range of almost any bird lover both in terms of cost and ease of installation.

Bird web cam installations play a significant role in creating awareness about the behavior and status of various species and serve as an aid to researchers in their studies by allowing for unobtrusive observation of nesting, hatching and feeding activities. There are many cameras on the market that would be appropriate for placement in a nest box, bird house, or at a vantage point over a backyard feeder.

Setting Up A Backyard Bird Cam

Backyard bird cams have gained immense popularity in the recent years and come in both wired and wireless configurations.

Wired Vs. Wireless Backyard Cam Systems

The major difference between a wireless bird cam and a wired one is the presence of connecting audio/video and power cables between the camera itself and the television or monitor receiving the signal. While wired bird cams are available at lower, more affordable prices, they are not as versatile in regard to their positioning. Wireless bird cams can be easily moved and relocated to maximize viewing and reception and they consume less power.

A stand-alone wired system will include the camera and a reception unit that can be connected to a television monitor. More fully functioning web cameras may have advanced capabilities such as panning and zooming. These units require the presence of a home wireless network. Many camera of both types, wired and wireless, allow for night time viewing so that the cameras can also be used to observe raccoons, opossums, or other nocturnal backyard visitors. If you are interested in learning bird songs or just enjoying the "sound" of the backyard as the birds feed or nest, be sure to get a camera with a microphone.

Any camera you select will come with comprehensive instructions for the set-up, wiring, and installation of the unit. Web cams will require some software to be installed on your home computer. It would be a good idea to reserve an afternoon for the set-up and configuration of your bird cam but after that initial effort, the system will require little maintenance beyond keeping the camera's lens clean and free of dirt.

Continue to : Weatherproofing Live Bird Cams

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How to Set Up a Backyard Bird Cam

Setting Up A Backyard Bird Cam

Wired Vs. Wireless Backyard Cam Systems

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