Close Menu
Awesome Inventions
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    Awesome Inventions
    Monday, July 14
    • Arts & Creative
    • Architecture & Design
    • DIY & Gardening
    • Products & Technology
    • Latest Posts
    • More Topics
      • Animals
      • Food & Drink
      • Funny
      • Health & Beauty
      • Parenting
      • People
      • Travel
      • Video
    Awesome Inventions
    Home » DIY & Gardening » Man Builds Bird Feeder That Accepts Bottle Caps As Payment For Food And The Birds Have Figured It Out
    DIY & Gardening

    Man Builds Bird Feeder That Accepts Bottle Caps As Payment For Food And The Birds Have Figured It Out

    bottle cap bird feeder
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Reddit LinkedIn

    Magpies, just like their relatives crows and jays, have a reputation of getting attracted to and stealing shiny objects. A brilliant robotics expert took advantage of this and created a bottle cap bird feeder to put this bird behavior to good use. In exchange for a kibble, birds have to collect a bottle cap and drop it into the designated hole. So, it’s essentially a vending machine for birds that accepts bottle caps as payments for the snacks.

    Hans Forsberg works with industrial applications of artificial intelligence. The idea of a bottle cap bird feeder occurred to him when he noticed a pair of magpies that just decided to reside in his backyard. He often catches them trying to pick a lock on his outdoor lanterns in order to steal the glowing candles inside. Forsberg thought that if the magpies are smart enough to pick a lock, they could definitely pick something else. And that’s how the idea of training them to collect bottle caps in exchange for foods popped into his head.

    Man Invents A Bottle Cap Bird Feeder That Trains Magpies To Collect Metal Objects In Exchange For Food

    The bottle cap bird feeder project relied on mechanical design, electronics, software, and 3D printing technology. In other words, the ambitious project was no easy feat. Furthermore, there wasn’t any other similar devices that he can look up on the internet. So, he had to come up with his original plan and design for his one-of-a-kind invention. It took him several years to complete the project. But all the effort and time he spent on the device was all worth it.

    Forsberg used a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B as the main unit for the device. It controls the mechatronics of the food dispenser as well as the input/output from the sensor and actuator. A unit called Arduino Uno is used as a sensor and actuator interface within the device. The bottle caps are detected with a metal-detector based on Arduino code. Forsberg created a simple GUI for the Raspberry that allows the unit to control a vibration feeder based on a rotating feeder screw. The GUI also allows him to attach a wide angle camera to monitor the experiments.

     

    Watch The Bird Feeder In Action On The Video Below

    The recorded footage from the attached camera proved that the bottle cap bird feeder project was a success. Once the magpie drops a bottle cap into the designated hole, the machine instantly dispenses a bird treat into the receptacle where the bird can easily claim it. And it’s like hitting two birds with one stone. Forsberg was able to cleverly train the birds to recycle tiny metal objects while distracting them away from his outdoor lanterns.

    Forsberg gives an in-depth explanation about this project on Hackster where he also included all hardware components that you can buy directly on the site. He also included details on the physical parts including the food dispenser, vibro feeder parts, and vibrating motor flywheel that you can 3D print.

     

    Here’s what people have to say about this awesome invention

    magpies collects metal objects in exhange for food comment kenn

     

    bottle cap bird feeder comment tina

     

    magpies collects metal objects in exhange for food comment stephen

     

    magpies collects metal objects in exhange for food comment mieke

     

    bottle cap bird feeder comment leen

     

    bottle cap bird feeder comment angela

     

    bottle cap bird feeder comment mohammad

     

    magpies collects metal objects in exhange for food comment maria

     

    magpies collects metal objects in exhange for food comment shadrack

     

    bottle cap bird feeder comment jennifer

     

    This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more.
    bird bird feeder bottle cap diy
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Reddit LinkedIn
    Previous ArticlePillsbury Has A Huge Cookie Dough Variety Box That Can Make Around 60 Cookies
    Next Article Tiny Arched Homes Are More Affordable Than You Think

    Related Posts

    This Handheld Mini Chainsaw Makes Light Work Of DIY/Gardening Tasks

    Woman Starts Feeding Family Of Crows And Then They Start Leaving Her Gifts

    The Stunning Nicobar Pigeon Dazzles With Its Beautiful Colors

    Denture Drill Bit Holder

    People Told Artist Tommy Siegel His Bird Leg Drawings Weren’t Realistic Enough, So He “Fixed” Them

    Heartwarming Moment When Duck Warms Abandoned Puppy With Its Wings

    These 15 Pictures Of Animals Licking Glass Will Put A Smile On Your Face

    Uncategorized

    Dogs, cats and other animals often use their tongues to explore the world around…

    Terry’s Chocolate Orange Mini Eggs Have Arrived To Help You Get Through Winter

    Food & Drink

    If you ask us, the best way to beat post-Christmas blues is by looking forward…

    These Hilarious Wine Labels Tell It Like It Is

    Uncategorized

    These hilarious wine labels say everything people secretly think but seldom ever say in relation…

    25 Photos To Prove Not Even Dogs And Cats Are Photogenic All The Time

    Uncategorized

    If you sometimes see photos of yourself and wonder, "I don't look like that…

    © All Rights Reserved - Awesome Inventions
    • Awesome Inventions
    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ
    • Advertising / Promotions
    • About Us
    • Contact Us

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.