Bird watching, also known as birding, is a wildly popular hobby that millions of people enjoy. It involves observing and identifying wild birds in their natural habitats. To get the most out of bird watching, having the right equipment is essential. Here’s an overview of the basic equipment you’ll need to start bird watching.
Binoculars
Binoculars are by far the most important piece of bird watching equipment. Binoculars allow you to get close-up views of birds from afar. This helps you identify key characteristics like plumage patterns, beak shape, leg color, and more. Without binoculars, you’d miss a lot of detail trying to observe birds at a distance.
When choosing binoculars, look for the following features:
- Magnification of 7x or 8x. This allows you to zoom in close while still maintaining a wide, stabilized view.
- Objective lens diameter of at least 30mm. This determines how much light can enter the binoculars. A larger diameter offers brighter images.
- Waterproof and fog proof. Since you’ll be using them outdoors, you don’t want to worry about moisture damaging the optics.
- Rubber armor coating. This protects the binoculars from bumps and drops.
- Adjustable eyecups. Twist-up eyecups let you position your eyes properly to see the full field of view with or without glasses.
Quality birding binoculars are available in a wide range of prices. Expect to spend $100 – $500+ for a solid mid-range pair from a brand like Nikon, Bushnell, or Leica that can last you years.
Birding Guides
Field guides are books designed to help identify birds based on location, coloration, size, behavior, habitat, and other factors. They’re an invaluable resource for all bird watchers. Keep one with you on every birding trip.
Look for a field guide that covers the species found in your local area. For North America, the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America is an excellent choice with over 750 detailed species accounts.
Many birders prefer guides that organize birds by color to simplify the identification process in the field. The Peterson Field Guide to Birds and Sibley Guide to Birds are very popular options organized this way. Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America is arranged by family grouping for more advanced birders.
Another useful type of guide is dedicated to covering the songs and calls of local birds. This helps you identify species by ear when you can’t see them clearly. Popular options include the Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs for Western and Eastern US species.
Spotting Scopes
Spotting scopes offer even more magnification than binoculars, allowing you to see fine details on distant birds. This is incredibly useful for studying plumage patterns, field marks, behaviors, and other characteristics to aid identification.
Spotting scopes have a single eyepiece and large objective lens diameter of 60-80mm or more. Look for a zoom eyepiece with 20-60x magnification. Higher magnifications beyond 60x become ineffective without a tripod to stabilize the image.
Some key spotting scope features include:
- Angled or straight body – Personal preference
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Close focus range of 15-20 feet
- Tabletop tripod with fluid pan head
- Stay-on objective lens covers
Quality brands like Celestron, Nikon, Vortex and Zeiss offer excellent mid-range models from $200-$500. High end spotting scopes with premium optics cost $1000+.
Tripod
A sturdy tripod is necessary for stabilizing your spotting scope or binoculars when observing distant birds. Tripods eliminate shake or drift in your optics.
For spotting scopes, a tabletop tripod with an integrated fluid pan head offers smooth maneuverability. Look for adjustable leg angles so you can position the scope as needed. Full standing tripods are another option.
For binoculars, miniature tripods attach directly onto them. You can also use a neck and shoulder strap to stabilize the binoculars. Monopods or hiking poles work as well.
Digiscoping Adapter
Digiscoping involves taking digital photos through your spotting scope or binoculars. It’s an excellent way to document rare bird sightings and share with fellow birders. Special digiscoping adapters allow you to connect your smartphone or camera to your optics.
There are two main types of digiscoping adapters:
- Optical zoom adapters – Maintain image quality at high magnifications
- Digital zoom adapters – Provide more zoom range and are compatible with more devices
Popular universal adapters like the Gosky Digiscoping Phone Adapter mount easily on most spotting scopes, binoculars, smartphones, and cameras. Specific device mount adapters are also available.
Camera
A good camera is invaluable for photographing your bird sightings. Virtually any mid-range DSLR or mirrorless camera will work well, along with more compact super zoom or bridge models.
Key features to look for include:
- Aperture priority and shutter priority modes
- Fast continuous shooting and burst mode
- Flip out vari-angle LCD screen
- Autofocus tracking
- Image stabilization
- Fast, powerful zoom lens
You’ll also need a good telephoto zoom lens in the 200-600mm range to capture those detailed bird shots at a distance. A compact lightweight tripod or monopod helps stabilize the camera for sharper photos. Remote triggers are useful as well to avoid scaring birds from camera shutter noise.
Bird Call Identifiers
Many birders use audio bird call recording devices or smartphone apps to help identify birds by their sounds. Being able to recognize bird calls is a huge advantage for locating hidden and elusive species.
Popular options like the Larkwire app have thousands of bird call recordings paired with images and range maps to aid identification. The Cornell Lab Merlin Bird ID app helps instantly recognize bird songs by asking a few simple questions.
Portable bird call recorders from Telinga and Song Meter let you make high quality recordings to analyze later. Many also have built-in identification capabilities.
Birdfeeders and Birdhouses
Putting up birdfeeders and birdhouses brings birds into easy viewing range for you to observe right in your own backyard. Different feeders attract different species, so it’s good to have a variety.
- Tube feeders filled with sunflower seeds or mixed seed attract the widest range of birds including finches, sparrows, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, jays, cardinals and more.
- Platform feeders with a tray design are excellent for larger birds like cardinals, jays, grackles, doves and grosbeaks.They allow easy access to a mix of seeds, nuts and grains.
- Suet feeders offer high fat suet cakes to appeal to woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens and other insect eating birds.
- Oriole feeders provide orange slices and grape jelly to draw striking orioles.
- Hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water attract these dazzling pollinators.
Different birdhouse designs target specific species based on the entrance hole diameter and depth. Mount boxes on poles or trees at proper heights for the birds you want to attract. Keep them clean and maintained.
Having a water source like a bird bath or small pond provides drinking and bathing opportunities to observe their behaviors up close.
Birding Clothes and Gear
Here are some key clothing items and gear that will maximize your comfort on birding trips:
- Lightweight, quick drying pants and shirts layer well and allow full range of motion.
- A wide brimmed hat keeps the sun off your face and neck.
- Polarized sunglasses cut glare allowing you to see more details.
- Knee pads make ground observation more comfortable.
- Insect repellent keeps mosquitos and ticks away.
- Sunscreen prevents sunburn, especially on bright days.
- A hydration pack and snacks allow you to stay fueled in the field.
- Waterproof boots or hiking shoes provide stability on uneven terrain.
- Gaiters protect your legs when walking through brush.
- A multi tool or pocket knife proves handy in a pinch.
Don’t forget first aid essentials as well like bandages, antibiotic cream, tick key, emergency blanket and medications you need.
Birding Apps
Birding apps provide invaluable information right on your smartphone. They aid with everything from species identification to bird calls, locations, trip logging, research, networking with other birders and more.
Some of the most useful apps include:
- Audubon Bird Guide App – 821 species profiles with ID tips, range maps, and real bird calls.
- eBird Mobile – Record sightings to share with the world’s largest birding community.
- iNaturalist – Document species observations and connect with experts for help.
- Song Sleuth – Identifies bird songs and calls in real time.
- The Warbler Guide – Detailed warbler identification tool.
- Merlin Bird ID – Helps ID unknown birds by location and physical descriptors.
Many other excellent choices are available as well to enhance your birding experience. Audubon, iBird, BirdsEye, Peterson Birds, and Sibley eGuide are all highly recommended.
Bird Watching Optics Comparison Table
Optics | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|
Binoculars | Compact and portable Wide field of view Brighter images Natural viewing position |
Lower magnification Smaller objective lenses Harder to photograph through |
Spotting Scopes | Extreme magnification Larger objective lenses gather more light Tripod mountable Easier digiscoping |
Less portability Narrower field of view Can be hard to hold steady |
Conclusion
Bird watching is an immensely gratifying hobby that enhances your appreciation of nature and gives life to your local ecosystems. Having the proper equipment makes birding infinitely more enjoyable while allowing you to see details, identify species, and document your findings. Invest in quality optics, field guides, tripods, cameras, birdhouses, feeders, apps, clothing, and other gear tailored to your specific needs and interests. With practice, patience, and the right equipment, your birding skills will flourish, letting your fascination with our feathered friends take flight!