Category: photography

Using cameras inside cages

Using cameras inside cages

I wrote an article called “Benefits and joys of remote cameras” where I described using a brand of camera called Arlo to observe bird behavior without being present. It’s useful and fun, and sometimes uncovers critical problems.

Inside a cage is a difficult environment to put in a remote camera and get enough coverage, even though the newer Arlo cameras claim a 180 degree view.

Cameras outside a cage are pretty much useless as all you see are the cage bars.

I’ve developed four different methods to attach an Arlo camera inside a cage that I’ll describe here. I’ll mention that I’ve never had problems with any of them, but some theoretically have some risk involved of a camera getting detached.

Strong magnets 101

NOTE: Magnets will NOT work on stainless steel or aluminum cages.

First, a foray into what are called “strong magnets” or “rare earth magnets” — these are no ordinary magnets.…

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Leveraging time lapse photography

Leveraging time lapse photography

I’ve written previously about the benefits you can gain from using remote cameras with your birds. Most smart phones can also do time lapse photography.

While videos can capture useful information about your birds, sometimes you want to monitor behaviors that happen rarely or you want to see how often they happen over time.

Some examples of behaviors might be:

  • How often and for how long are my birds eating?
  • Are my birds eating specific foods I’m putting out for them?
  • How active are my birds?
  • What toys and perches are my birds favoring?
  • Are my birds fighting?
  • Are my birds engaging in mating behavior?
  • What toys are my birds playing with?

Sure, a video would capture these, but this is a significant time commitment to review these videos.

Tripod

Before I get started, I wanted to recommend a tripod I like. Since you could take a time lapse that could last hours, you want a way to hold your phone in position.…

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Benefits and joys of remote cameras

Benefits and joys of remote cameras

Setting up remote cameras on your birds can be more entertaining than TV. But it can also have important benefits to the well being of your bird that you may not have considered.

Benefits

Your birds will behave very differently when you are in the room as they do when you are gone. You may see important clues to their health by checking in on them remotely from time to time.

Food

Especially with fresh foods, it can be difficult to figure out what your bird is eating when you look at their dishes at the end of the day. Everything can dry up and shrink a bit.

Turns out the little Splendid Parrot is pushing around the cockatiels!

Behavior

What does your bird do all day when you are not around? Do they sit around or are they active and playing with toys? How are they interacting with other birds.…

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