Wings in the Concrete Jungle: A Quiet Oasis Blooms

From a young age, I often visited rural areas where birds were abundant and full of life. But the moment that truly anchored my soul to them came years later, on a quiet afternoon at my parents’ house.

Hanging outside the window was an ordinary hummingbird feeder. I sat there, completely captivated. Time seemed to slow down. Different species of hummingbirds darted in and out, their iridescent feathers catching the light, their wings a brilliant, humming blur.

In that gentle moment, something shifted inside me. I no longer wanted to watch them pass by — I needed to truly know them. I dove into online birding forums, absorbing every piece of knowledge I could find. Suddenly, I was no longer just someone staring at a feeder. I had become part of a community. I had found my people, and I had found my passion.

Building a Small Oasis in the City

When I moved to the city, the weight of concrete felt suffocating at times. I refused to leave nature behind, so I planted a single fruit tree on the sidewalk in front of my home — a small, quiet invitation to the wild.

To my delight, the birds accepted.

Today, that little patch of green has become a lively oasis. Almost every day, I am visited by Planalto hermits, Swallow-tailed hummingbirds, white-eyed parakeets, saffron finches, and many others. But the ones that truly take my breath away are the hummingbirds with their impossible acrobatics. I also cherish the rufous-bellied thrush — its song cuts through the urban noise and becomes the most peaceful soundtrack to my day.

In the past, birdwatching meant carrying heavy binoculars and cameras through parks and trails with friends, trying to document as many species as possible for our social media pages (@amigosdasaves). Yet so many shy birds or moments when I wasn’t there slipped away.

The COOLFLY Turning Point: AI Bird Identification

In early 2025, as a member of a local NGO dedicated to nature conservation, I was searching for better ways to share the beauty of our birds through images and videos — hoping more people would come to love and protect them. Smart birding devices weren’t made in Brazil, and importing them was too expensive for our small organization.

Then I discovered an affordable smart waterer on Amazon, paired with the COOLFLY app.

Everything changed.

Now, even when I’m not home, the COOLFLY device captures 24-hour footage of the backyard and waterer. We can record those rare, timid visitors and easily share them with others. The AI identification feature feels almost magical — every time it automatically tags a “Swallow-tailed hummingbird” or “rufous-bellied thrush,” my partners and I share a moment of wonder. If it’s not quite right, I can correct it and read the app’s helpful bird knowledge. This has made our records more accurate and turned every sharing moment into an opportunity to learn.

The greatest change birdwatching has brought me is a deep sense of calm and connection. When I immerse myself in nature, all the small worries of daily life seem to dissolve, leaving only the songs, the flights, and pure joy. It feels like natural medicine for the soul, nurturing my mental well-being and introducing me to many friends who share the same love for nature.

Sharing Joy in the World's First Interactive Birding Community

Sharing brings another layer of happiness. Whenever I post a video or photo on COOLFLY — the world’s first interactive birding community — imagine the person on the other side of the screen — perhaps smiling, perhaps finding a moment of peace on a difficult day. Reading the comments and interactions, I realize I’m not just sharing an image. I’m sharing a moment of tranquility and double the joy: images, knowledge, and our common love for nature.

Of course, birdwatching also has its light-hearted moments. Once, while walking alone on a park trail, I unknowingly passed directly beneath a flock of dusky-legged guans. Suddenly they let out a deafening alarm call. My heart nearly stopped for a split second! After the shock faded, I couldn’t help but laugh. It was both startling and funny — a gentle reminder that in nature, I am simply a guest in their world.

As a dentist, I spend my days helping others relieve pain. But when I step outside and listen to the thrush’s song, it is the birds that heal me. The joy of birdwatching is wonderfully contagious — twenty years ago I invited a friend to join me once, and today he is one of the finest bird photographers I know.

Through our NGO and events like the annual Avistar São Paulo, which draws thousands of people, this passion continues to spread.

If you feel drawn to birdwatching, the best way is simply to begin. It really is contagious — that pure delight, the connection with nature, and the friendships formed through birds will make you fall in love with it too.

With the help of COOLFLY, my bird friends and I are finding smarter, more convenient ways to pass on this love. I hope you will join us — in backyards, in cities, and in nature — to discover those small wings that bring such immense joy.

Follow @Amigos das Aves on the COOLFLY App, or search for the user ID: 341023

Scan to join COOLFLY Community（And follow @Amigos das Aves）