Bird monitoring using the smartphone (iOS) application Videography for motion detection

Capsule: Automated monitoring of daily activity in birds can be facilitated by the use of a smartphone with video analysis software. Aims: To test the application of an iPhone 5 smartphone with video motion detection for monitoring birds remotely, transferring the data over a mobile network and extracting the data automatically. Methods: A customized bird feeder was used at an established feeding site where high visitor frequency provided a rigorous test of procedures. The application Videography was used to detect birds visiting the feeder. This runs advanced algorithms on the camera input to detect motion and trigger automated video recordings. Results: Recorded video was stored immediately in a cloud service or locally on the smartphone. The data were automatically processed using R-scripts, obviating the need for manual data entry prior to analysis. Bird visits to the feeder were distributed throughout the day, increasing rapidly after sunrise and ceasing before dusk. Conclusions: The system offered a novel and efficient means of automatically monitoring birds visiting a central place, and it would be suitable for close-up monitoring of birds that regularly visit the entrances of cavities, nests or feeding places.