Bird Buddy Partners with the National Audubon Society to Elevate Bird Conservation Efforts

KALAMAZOO, MI (October 24, 2024) – In marking International Day of Climate Action 2024, Bird Buddy, inventor of Smart Bird Feeder technology, has become an official partner to the National Audubon Society, one of the leading organizations dedicated to bird conservation. This collaboration aims to amplify awareness and action around bird conservation, while expanding the bird feeding and watching experience to millions across the Americas.

Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder users already contribute valuable sightings data through Heartbeat, Bird Buddy’s community science platform. By teaming up with Audubon, this effort has the potential to scale and provide insights for scientists studying climate change and its impact on bird species. Birds are important indicators of the health of the environment, climate, and planet we all share, and what’s good for birds is good for people. The partnership will focus on raising awareness about the vital role birds play and the importance of protecting birds and the places they - and we all - need.

Bird watching offers more than just a connection to nature. Bird observations can provide key data about how climate change affects ecosystems and species distributions. By feeding and caring for birds, people also become more connected to nature and better understand how individual actions contribute to climate solutions.

Commenting on this new partnership, Franci Zidar, CEO, Bird Buddy, said:

“There are over 96 million bird watching enthusiasts in the States alone, making it one of the most popular outdoor pastimes. Working together with the National Audubon Society, we hope to accelerate this growth, and strengthen the connections with nature and the wildlife around us. Sightings data on our feeder network could contribute insight into bird migratory patterns and other behaviors, further strengthening Audubon's vital  conservation science. We are excited to see what further positive impact we can have working with Audubon in bird conservation.”

Chad Wilsey, Chief Scientist for the National Audubon Society, added: 

"Bird Buddy shares our passion for connecting people with nature and exploring how innovation and education can help advance bird conservation. Audubon's science shows that some of the birds that visit our feeders are threatened by climate change, but there are actions we can take to protect them. The more that people can connect with the birds they see every day, the more they can feel inspired to solve the climate challenges we all face." 

One popular feature with Bird Buddy is the unique bird identification, called ‘Name that Bird’ that has the potential for scientific uses for non-invasive tagging of individual birds. Other features include smart home connectivity, alerts about sick birds and predator detections near the feeder, helping protect wildlife. The Bird Buddy app is free to download as users enjoy Bird Buddy Explore which provides images and data from up to three feeders from across the world.  

Audubon's Survival by Degrees report shows that two-thirds of North American birds are at risk of extinction due to climate change. To celebrate the launch of this partnership, Bird Buddy and Audubon will introduce a series of awareness campaigns focused on bird conservation and climate action, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks. 

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About Bird Buddy
Bird Buddy is on a mission to ignite a global passion for conservation, one backyard and one bird feeder at a time.  By connecting people with the natural world surrounding their homes, we're inspiring a movement to protect and preserve local biodiversity.

Bird Buddy has now delivered over a billion moments of nature to Bird Buddy users, and have touched millions of other people around the world with the help of our community. Over 300,000 units have been shipped worldwide. 

Bird Buddy has five hardware products:
Smart Bird Feeder
Smart Bird Feeder PRO
Smart Hummingbird Feeder
Nature Cam PRO
Smart Bird Bath (shipping early 2025)
With multiple accessories to increase species attraction and deepen connections with nature including the perch extender for bigger birds, three-in-one nutrition set, and suet ball holder.

The tech for nature start up has won several awards:

• TIME Best Invention 2023
• SXSW Best Innovation for AI 2023
• 3 x CES Honoree 2022
• 2 x CES Honoree 2024
• Fast Company Innovation in Design 2023
• IdEA Silver Award
• CNN Best Tested 2024
• Good Housekeeping Best overall 2024

About Audubon
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Media Contacts: 
Bird Buddy - Caroline Macdonald, caroline@mybirdbuddy.com
Audubon - Megan Moriarty, megan.moriarty@audubon.org