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How the system works
The detection system runs continuously on a Raspberry Pi paired with a fixed camera module, classifying visiting birds in real time and logging each detection with species, confidence score, and timestamp.
HARDWARE
Raspberry Pi
Runs the classifier on-device, continuously, with no cloud dependency for inference.
MODEL
EfficientNet B0
10-class image classifier, 60% confidence threshold before a detection is logged.
CAMERA
Fixed-angle module
Camera module locks into place with a fixed angle, enabling continuous outdoor deployment through rain and storms.
LOGGING
Species · Confidence · Timestamp
Each detection is written to a running log for later comparison against Project FeederWatch data.
Note — the enclosure
The Pi, camera, and wiring sit inside a custom enclosure I designed in Fusion 360 and 3D printed, rather than an off-the-shelf case. That matters for a few reasons:
- Weatherproofing — the electronics need to survive rain and temperature swings through a full outdoor deployment season, not just a single afternoon.
- Fixed camera geometry — the mount holds the camera at a precise, unchanging angle. Since the classifier is trained on images from that exact framing, any drift in camera position would introduce noise the model was never trained on.
- Ventilation — vents are built into the design to prevent the Pi from overheating during continuous operation.
- Iteration — designing it myself meant I could revise the fit after early field tests, rather than adapting the whole setup around a generic case.
Note — species selection
10-class model deliberately limited to common Brooklyn feeder species. Narrower scope improves per-class accuracy versus attempting to classify rare visitors with insufficient training data.
Target species — banding codes
| AMGO | American Goldfinch |
| BCCH | Black-capped Chickadee |
| BLJA | Blue Jay |
| DEJU | Dark-eyed Junco |
| DOWO | Downy Woodpecker |
| HOFI | House Finch |
| HOSP | House Sparrow |
| MODO | Mourning Dove |
| NOCA | Northern Cardinal |
| TUTI | Tufted Titmouse |