Installing a Raspberry Pi Camera in a Birdhouse – Step‑by‑Step Guide

Introduction

This guide explains how to mount a Raspberry Pi Zero W with a NoIR camera inside a wooden birdhouse, add LED lighting, and log temperature and humidity. All instructions are based on a proven build that has already captured footage of real bird activity.

Watch the complete build video: https://youtu.be/S3MB3YABeRU

Step 1: Gather Components

Below is a full list of parts, along with approximate retail prices. The total cost is roughly $113 (€100).

• Raspberry Pi A+ – $28 / €25
• Pi NoIR camera board – $32.50 / €29
• MicroSD card (Class 10, 64 GB) – $27.50 / €25
• Wi‑Fi dongle (802.11n, 150 Mbps) – $9.30 / €8.30
• DC‑DC buck converter (12 V → 5 V) – $1.70 / €1.50
• DHT22 temperature & humidity sensor + 4.7 kΩ resistor – $5 / €4.40
• 4 IR LEDs + 4 resistors (160 Ω) – $2 / €1.80
• 4 white LEDs + 4 resistors (100 Ω) – $2 / €1.80
• 2 × NPN transistors (2N2222) + 2 × 1 kΩ resistors – $1 / €0.80
• Prototype PCB board – $1 / €0.80
• Soldering iron and solder – from your kit

Step 2: Prepare the Raspberry Pi

1. Download the latest Raspbian (Raspberry Pi OS) image from raspberrypi.org. 2. Flash the image onto the MicroSD card with a tool such as Etcher. 3. Insert the card, connect the Pi to an HDMI display, USB keyboard/mouse, and power. The Pi boots to the desktop. 4. Run sudo raspi-config to extend the filesystem, enable the camera, set a strong password, and configure Wi‑Fi. 5. Shut down the Pi, disconnect the display and keyboard, plug in the Wi‑Fi dongle, and power it on again. 6. From a terminal on another machine, SSH into the Pi (e.g., ssh pi@ip-address). 7. Verify the camera works with raspistill -o test.jpg.

Step 3: Build the Camera Mount and Wiring

Cut a prototype PCB to accommodate the camera, LEDs, and sensor. Refer to the Fritzing schematic included in the original build for pin‑out and resistor values. Adjust the white LEDs’ tips to increase light diffusion, and use plastic screws to fine‑tune the camera’s field of view.

Step 4: Assemble the Power Converter and LED Control Board

1. Size the prototype PCB to match the Pi A+ footprint. 2. Drill a hole for the camera ribbon cable. 3. Mount the 12 V→5 V buck converter, NPN transistors, and all resistors. 4. Connect the converter’s output to the Pi’s 5 V and ground pins. Use the 12 V input from a garage power source. 5. Wire the LED strings to the transistor switches so they can be controlled via GPIO.

Step 5: Install the Camera, LEDs, and Sensor

Place the assembled board on top of the birdhouse, orient the Pi so the camera ribbon cable is straight, and run ribbon cables to the LED and sensor control board. Secure all connections with heat‑shrink tubing or waterproof cable glands.

Step 6: Encase the Electronics

1. Enclose the Pi in a waterproof enclosure. A common choice is a 3‑in³ weatherproof case with a silicone gasket. 2. Use a brush or silicone sealant around the enclosure’s edges to prevent moisture ingress. 3. Drill a hole for the power cable, and attach a waterproof connector (e.g., a Deutsch DTM connector) to route the 12 V supply from the garage to the enclosure.

Updates

October 1 – Temperature and humidity readings will soon appear on the web dashboard. Stay tuned!

October 5 – First chickadee visit captured: https://youtu.be/stxVw7Cs5os

October 12 – Live temperature and humidity data are now available. Check step 8 of the original guide for access.

For additional details, refer to the original article: Raspberry with cam in birdhouse.