Map the clip lifecycle before choosing a capacity
Document what triggers a recording, its maximum and typical length, where it lands first, when it is overwritten or deleted, and how an original is exported. Birdfy currently documents 30-day Moment retention and a 5 GB Collection on Free membership. Perky-Pet documents a seven-day active period plus three days in Expiring for ordinary media, with a 10 GB cloud limit for favorites. Birdbuddy currently says its feeders have no local storage. Those are system-specific examples, not category rules.
Treat microSD support as six separate questions
Confirm card format, speed class, supported capacity, whether a card is included, overwrite behavior, and safe physical access. Then verify whether recording continues without internet and whether playback requires the camera to reconnect. Do not insert or remove storage while equipment is powered unless the exact instructions permit it, and do not expose open electronics to rain.
Use the current membership lifecycle when pages disagree
A rolling event history and a user-saved Collection can have different limits and deletion rules. Birdfy’s newer membership page says saved Collection items remain downloadable for one year after membership expiry, no new items can be added, and deletion may follow; an older cloud page describes indefinite Collection storage. Treat the newer membership lifecycle as controlling, confirm the account screen, and do not promise permanent storage from the older wording.
Export the footage that matters
Test one photo and video download before relying on the system. Birdbuddy documents downloads from its Home feed, Collection, and Live feature. Keep wanted files outside the app, preserve their dates when possible, and avoid recording neighboring property or unnecessary audio. Deleting an app copy may not establish how cloud backups or shared links are handled, so review current privacy controls.