This smart bird feeder captures more of my backyard drama

Since moving to South Carolina’s Lowcountry, I’ve been spellbound by the myriad of beautiful birds that share the coast with us — ospreys raising their babies in towering nests beside the road to my daughter’s school, roseate spoonbills wading in the marsh on my morning walks, eagles circling over my son’s tennis matches, and a constant parade of songbirds through my backyard. The challenge, as every birder knows, lies in catching these moments. And for that, a smart bird feeder is a fabulous tool. These use a small, motion-activated camera embedded in a feeder to capture photos and video of birds visiting your backyard, which you can watch in an app on your phone. Most offer AI-powered bird identification, presenting the species along with a cute clip. No more standing motionless with binos on your porch, balancing a Sibley Guide; the bird life comes directly to you. It’s basically OnlyFans for twitchers . I’ve tested the staple in the space , the Birdbuddy Pro — and loved it so much I bought them for my entire family last Christmas. Then, at CES this year , I spotted the Aura Smart Bird Feeder from Coolfly and was intrigued by its larger size and promise of new, alternative views of my feathered friends. …