CEO and co-founder Franci Zidar says the bird feeder's module design will allow for continuous hardware and software upgrades. Bird Buddy, the creator of a smart bird feeder that takes pictures of feathered friends visiting your yard, has announced a new gadget that can accurately identify hundreds of different species of hummingbirds, even while they are in flight. Franci Zidar, the CEO and co-founder of Bird Buddy, told FOX Business at the Consumer Electronics Show 2023 (CES) that he and his friend came up with the idea for the smart feeder in a way familiar to many young, eager entrepreneurs – over several late-night conversations and a couple of beers. Bird Buddy boasts a modular design, with a detachable white center that can be removed and inserted into other housings to activate additional features. "We're launching a hummingbird feeder that you can swap out, take your existing module, put it in there, and unlock a new species of birds," Zidar said. The new AI-integrated Smart Hummingbird Feeder can take high-quality photos and videos and accurately identify 350 different species of hummingbirds, even those with wing speeds reaching 60 mph.

I've always been an animal person more than a people person, and I have a particular fondness for birds. A few years ago, I found an embarrassing childhood diary entry recounting the time I whistled at the birds on the tree outside my bedroom window. I felt like Snow White. Now I have my two cats and all the birds who visit my balcony bird feeder every day. Since WIRED declared Bird Buddy to be one of the Best of CES in 2022, I've thought about little else. While waiting for the feeder to be shipped, I tested another smart feeder, the Netvue Birdfy, which I also loved.

The halls of CES are full of smart home products, but some of them grab our attention more than others. Enter Bird Buddy, a company that makes camera-equipped bird feeders for keeping tabs on the winged friends around your yard, patio or balcony. The current model accommodates whatever seed you prefer and motion sensor alerts you via the company's app when you have a visitor. At CES 2023, Bird Buddy is adding an AI-powered smart feeder for hummingbirds to its lineup. The aptly named Smart Hummingbird Feeder can identify 350 species of the animals and the motion sensor lets you know when one is ready for a snack.

As vaccinations roll out beyond the most vulnerable in the coming months, the en masse return to offices will affect the other species that many consider part of their families. Crowdfunding networks have had their share of remote cameras, feeders, and toys for dogs and cats. But what about other animals for which folks care? New projects aim to keep those with an interest in smaller animals up to date with the latest on their activity. As always, remember that crowdfunding campaigns entail the risk that the creators may not be able to fulfill deliverables.

This year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) -- the celebration of all things tech and then some -- brought what it usually brings to the Vegas Strip: AI-powered gadgets. Of course, AI comes in many forms, and not all that's advertised as AI is in fact true AI. But there's always diamonds in the rough, like an AI-equipped oven from Samsung that automatically adjusts cooking settings for the perfect bake. As my colleagues on the ground traverse the show floor (I'm covering CES remotely this year), they're highlighting the most interesting AI-powered tech they come across. I've compiled each into a handy list, which is far from definitive, but which aims to give an idea of the top AI trends this year at CES. Samsung kicked off CES 2023 with a new oven and fridge in its Bespoke Home smart appliances lineup.