Bird watching is one of the most rewarding hobbies a person could pick up. It's no surprise to learn that bird watchers throughout the world are looking for creative new ways to peek into the lives of our feathered friends. In recent years it has become popular to start placing closed circuit television cameras inside bird nests in order to get a peek at the home life of birds. These bird house cameras are also known as "nest cams" and they are easier to build than you may think.
You will need the following items in order to complete your nest cam;
- Water Resistant Bird House (Kit or Custom Design with removable roof)
- Small CCTV Board Camera
- Power and Video Cable
- Digital Video Recorder
Selecting Your Bird House
As you might expect, a nest cam can be made using a regular bird house kit, or it can be customized to suit your needs. It's recommended that you try and find a kit with a removable roof so that you can easily adjust the camera if problems occur. Additionally, because the cameras can be sensitive to moisture, it is recommended that you select or design a bird house that is water resistant.
Installing the CCTV Camera
Once you have assembled your bird house, you will need to install the board camera. These cameras are available in color or black and white and they can typically measure less than one inch. Their compact size makes them perfect for nest cams as they do not require major modifications, and they typically include a wide angle lens that allows you to view the entire nest floor. You will install the camera at the top of the nest pointing downwards to view the nest floor.
You will need to feed the video and power cables through the frame or roof of the bird house in order to connect it to the DVR. If the roof will be secured permanently then we recommend drilling a hole in the side of the bird house. Once you have fed the wires through, then you can secure your board camera mounting bracket and adjust the cameras positioning.
Always test your nest cam bird house before you place it in your yard. This will make it easier to troubleshoot problems you might encounter. Once you have tested the camera and everything appears to be working, you can attach the bird house to a tree or mounting pole at your desired location. Once everything is installed you should test it again to ensure everything is working.
Viewing and Streaming a Live Feed
In order to view live video you will need to have your camera plugged into a digital video recorder. There are several different types of video recorders available depending on your budget. You can purchase standalone systems similar to your VCR, customized PC systems, or you can install additional hardware on your current PC to act as a recorder. Many of these systems allow you to stream live video over the internet and you can allow your friends and family to watch from the comfort of their own homes.
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