This part of our web guide focuses on the equipment, gear, and accessories related to birding (birdwatching), a hobby that involves the observation of birds.
Birding is a recreational activity, a hobby, and a form of citizen science. Birdwatchers may observe birds using their naked eye, through binoculars or telescopes, listening for bird sounds, or through wildlife cameras. Unlike ornithologists, most birdwatchers engage in the activity for recreational or social reasons, although many are highly knowledgeable.
This is the shopping section of our web guide, so we will concentrate on the products involved in birding here. Further information and resources can be found in our guide's corresponding category within the Sports & Recreation section.
Birding is a popular pastime for nature enthusiasts across the globe. One estimate suggests that 37% of the United States population engages in the activity, which combines an appreciation for the outdoors with the excitement of observing different bird species. To enhance this experience, birdwatchers typically invest in specialized gear and accessories to help them observe, identify, document, and record birds.
Most birdwatchers use binoculars. They allow for close-up views of distant birds, making observing their behavior, plumage, and other distinguishing features easier, and they are affordable. When selecting binoculars, birders should consider factors like magnification, lens diameter, field of view, and weight. Popular brands include Swarovski Optik, Zeiss, Nikon, Vortex, and Celstron.
For birders who want even greater magnification and detail, spotting scopes are a great option. These telescopes, mounted on tripods, provide the power necessary to observe birds at long distances, such as across a lake or in large fields. Leica, Kowa, Swarovski, and Vortex are popular manufacturers of spotting scopes.
Field guides contain detailed descriptions and illustrations of bird species, helping birders identify their sightings. These guides include information on habitat, behavior, and vocalizations. Popular publishers of field guides include National Geographic, Peterson Field Guides, Sibley Guides, and Kaufman Field Guides.
Many birders enjoy capturing photographs of the birds they encounter. High-quality cameras with telephoto lenses allow for vivid close-ups and action shots. Mirrorless cameras have become increasingly popular because of their compact size and advanced features. Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Panasonic are well-known brands.
Technology has produced various applications and software that can enhance the birding experience. These tools can help birders identify, log sightings, and connect with the larger birding community. Developed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology for species identification, Merlin Bird ID is one choice. Another is eBird, a global birding database and community platform. Then there is the Audubon Bird Guide, a comprehensive birding app with field guide features.
Birders often spend long hours outdoors. Clothing that includes moisture-wicking shirts, waterproof jackets, and sturdy hiking boots can make the experience more comfortable. Additionally, hats, gloves, and backpacks designed for birding can also help.
Retailers specializing in birding equipment and accessories include Bird Watcher's Digest, B&H Photo Video, Eagle Optics, and Wild Birds Unlimited.
These and other manufacturers, retailers, or e-commerce sites offering birdwatching equipment, gear, or supplies are appropriate for this category, along with product review or comparison websites.
Recommended Resources
The UK-based online store specializes in optical equipment like binoculars, spotting scopes, monoculars, trail cameras, and rangefinders, including products from well-known brands like Bushnell, Delta Optical, Hawke, Zeiss, and others. Items purchased from the website will be shipped for free to anywhere in the United Kingdom, and there is a lifetime guarantee on every item they sell, excluding Night Vision and Thermal Imaging products. A media kit and affiliate programs are available.
https://binocularbase.com/
The Birder's Store is a birding equipment shop based in Worcester, England. Established in 2009, the store is operated by birders for birders. They offer a wide range of birding gear, including binoculars, monoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, clothing, and accessories. Its shop is open from Tuesday to Saturday, and shoppers may also browse and make purchases from its e-commerce site, which carries books, DVDs, optics, digiscoping, accessories, clothing, and wildlife images.
https://www.birders-store.co.uk/
This popular series of nature guides are authored by Kenn Kaufman, and cover a range of topics, including birds, mammals, trees, wildflowers, insects, amphibians, fish, spiders, mushrooms, ferns, rocks, and others. The "Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America" is organized according to similarity of appearance and habitat, and includes more than 2,000 full-color photographs, and is known for its user-friendly design and coverage of every species of bird found regularly in North America.
http://www.kaufmanfieldguides.com/
Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the downloadable application helps users identify the birds they see or hear by answering a few simple questions, uploading a photograph, or recording a bird's song. The mobile application uses machine learning and a large database of bird sightings, sounds, and photos from eBird to provide accurate identifications. The app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play, for iOS 16 or newer or Android 6 or newer.
https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
Based in mid and west Wales, Naturequest is a specialist retailer offering affordable binoculars, monoculars, and spotting scopes for bird watching, nature observation, sports, and travel. They stock brands like Barr and Stroud, Hilkinson, Olivon, Opticron, Ostara, Shearwater, Steiner, Viking Optical, and Visionary. Naturequest is an authorized stockist and retailer of optical equipment in the United Kingdom. Its online catalog includes new and used equipment, and special offers.
https://www.naturequest.co.uk/
Founded in 1949, Swarovski Optik is a division of the Swarovski group of companies manufacturing optical instruments. Based in Austria, the company develops and manufactures long-range optical instruments in the premium segment of the market, including binoculars (adult and junior), spotting scopes, rifle scopes, range finders, and night sight devices, designed for hunting, outdoor, and birding. Its birding binoculars, spotting scopes, accessories, and gear are featured.
https://www.swarovskioptik.com/us/en/birding
