Tech

Image of nerual net

Tech Behind Haikubox

How we identify & notify when birds are visiting

The Haikubox Neural Net

A neural network is a specific kind of machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) that involves training a computer to recognize specific patterns or features in data. In the case of bird identification, a neural network is trained using a vast dataset comprising thousands of accurately labeled bird sounds. This dataset serves as a teaching tool, enabling the computer to learn and distinguish individual bird calls and songs.

Similar to how a toddler learns the meaning of a word like "dog," the neural network learns through exposure to numerous examples and guided instruction. In the early stages, caregivers provide guidance by associating the word "dog" with actual dogs and reinforcing the concept through positive reinforcement ("What a nice dog!"). As the child encounters new animals, they start to apply their understanding and ask "Dog?" to seek confirmation ("No honey, that's a cat.") or receive positive feedback ("Yes, that's a dog!").

Similarly, the neural network builds an ability to identify bird sounds, drawing on its extensive training with labeled examples. Through this iterative learning process, the computer becomes highly proficient at recognizing and classifying bird vocalizations.

How Alerts Work

Use the Haikubox mobile app to set up and customize alerts on your smartphone or tablet. Alerts can not be managed from the listen website. Haikubox intelligently manages notifications so you aren't overwhelmed with alerts.

How New Bird Alerts Work
"New Bird Alerts" inform you when a vocalizing new bird is nearby, including migrating birds.  A new bird alert is triggered when a species is detected five times in one day and has not triggered a new bird alert in the previous four days.

How Species Alerts Work
Haikubox offers notifications for your favorite bird species that you can turn on for each species of interest.  You'll receive a text notification for the species you select when it is detected with up to two notifications per day per species.

In this image, the Haikubox named Tweety identified a new bird: Osprey