How much does the Bird Buddy cost?

The Bird Buddy is an interactive bird feeder and birdhouse camera that allows you to watch, listen to, and identify birds visiting your backyard. With advanced AI bird recognition technology, it can recognize over 1000 different bird species. But with all these high-tech features, many wonder – how much does the Bird Buddy cost? In this article, we’ll break down the pricing and options to help you determine if the Bird Buddy is the right investment for your birdwatching needs and budget.

Bird Buddy Pricing Overview

The Bird Buddy starter kit retails for $199. This includes the Bird Buddy device and bird feeder. There are also optional accessories and subscription plans that allow you to add capabilities and features:

• Bird Buddy Premium Subscription – $4.17/month or $49.99/year
• Solar roof accessory – $29.99 (charges battery so you don’t need outlet access)
• Squirrel baffle accessory – $19.99 (prevents squirrels from stealing food)
• Window bird feeder accessory – $29.99 (attaches to windows)

So at the minimum, you can expect to pay $199 for the basic Bird Buddy and bird feeder. With all the extras, the total cost will be around $299. The optional subscription unlocks premium features but is not required to use basic functionality.

Breakdown of the Basic $199 Bird Buddy

The $199 Bird Buddy starter kit includes the core device along with a basic bird feeder. Here’s what’s included:

• Bird Buddy device with 1080p HD camera
• Weatherproof housing suitable for outdoor use
• Built-in microphone to capture bird sounds
• Basic plastic bird feeder
• 5 ft power cable for connecting to outlet
• Bird Buddy mobile app for Android or iOS
• Magnetic window mount for attaching feeder
• 3 month trial of Bird Buddy Premium subscription

The Bird Buddy device has onboard storage to capture and store photos/videos without needing the subscription. However, the subscription unlocks cloud storage and advanced AI recognition features.

What’s Covered in the Free Features

Even without the paid subscription, the standard Bird Buddy includes impressive capabilities:

• Live remote monitoring via the mobile app
• 1080p HD video recordings with night vision
• 2-way audio to hear and talk to birds
• AI-powered notifications when birds are spotted
• Basic bird recognition with 50 common backyard species
• Local storage for photos and video clips
• Weatherproof and chew-proof housing

So you still get excellent HD footage, motion-activated recording, notifications, live viewing, and basic bird recognition with just the starter kit. But upgrading to the paid subscription adds quite a bit more.

What the Premium Subscription Adds

Here are the key bonuses included with a Bird Buddy Premium Subscription:

• Identify over 1000 bird species with advanced AI algorithms
• Cloud storage for unlimited photos and videos
• Searchable archive of recorded bird sightings
• Customizable watch lists to be notified about favorite birds
• Channeled audio playback from the microphone
• Enhanced analytics like visit duration and bird counts
• Monthly bird watching challenges and rewards

The premium features really optimize the experience for serious birders. You gain much more detailed bird recognition capabilities, unlimited cloud storage, and a smart archive to track bird behavior over time. It really maximizes the technology for an immersive birdwatching experience.

Premium Subscription Pricing

The Bird Buddy Premium Subscription costs:

• $4.17 per month
• $49.99 per year (paid annually)

There’s also a 30 day free trial included with the starter kit to test it out. So for casual users, the free features may be sufficient, but the premium package takes it to the next level for birding enthusiasts.

Optional Add-Ons

In addition to the subscription, Bird Buddy offers some optional accessories:

Solar Roof Accessory – $29.99

This solar panel attaches to the top of the Bird Buddy to charge the built-in battery. This allows you to install it anywhere without needing access to an electrical outlet. It’s useful if you want to mount it in the middle of your yard or somewhere inconvenient to run power.

Squirrel Baffle Accessory – $19.99

This device attaches to the bird feeder pole to prevent squirrels from stealing the bird seed. It’s an easy add-on that deters pesky squirrels from ruining the party.

Window Bird Feeder Accessory – $29.99

In addition to the basic bird feeder, you can add this window-mounted tray feeder. It attaches to any window so you can get up-close views. It also includes a suction cup mount for the Bird Buddy camera itself.

While not required, these extras allow you to customize your setup. The solar panel and window feeder, in particular, enable some unique mounting options.

Total Cost Breakdown

If you add up all the potential accessories and subscription, here are the total cost components:

So if you wanted to get the complete package with all the bells and whistles, it would cost around $330. The starter kit on its own is still quite powerful for only $199.

Key Considerations

Here are some things to think about when deciding if Bird Buddy is worth the investment:

• How often will you use it? Occasional vs daily use.
• Is it mainly for entertainment or serious birding data?
• Do you need advanced bird recognition capabilities?
• Will squirrels or other pests be an issue?
• Do you have a good window view or need yard/tree mounting?

Casual birding fans may be satisfied with just the starter kit. But enthusiasts will appreciate upgrades like the subscription and accessories. Consider your needs and how much value the features will realistically provide.

Conclusion

The Bird Buddy delivers an innovative birdwatching experience powered by AI and HD video. The starter kit provides excellent core functionality for $199. With extras like the subscription and accessories, you can unlock premium capabilities for more passionate birders, up to around $330 for everything. Compare the features to your needs and budget to determine the best value option. Whichever you choose, Bird Buddy takes backyard birding to new interactive heights.