Skip to Content

37 Required Bird Watching Gear and Resources: Identification, Photography, Gear, Locations, Feeders

Ready for a new season of birding? In this post, you’ll get a complete bird watching gear checklist – including binoculars, camera, guidebooks, apps, feeders, and hiking gear.

Bird watching gear

Table of Contents

37 Required Bird Watching Gear and Resources

A flash of color, a fleeting view of beauty between the branches and a sharp intake of breath as a bird lands and their exquisite plumage is taken in. This is an everyday occurrence for those nature loving birders roaming the wild places hoping to catch a glimpse of our winged friends.

Whether they have been doing it for 20 years or just starting out, one thing is true… it never gets old. As every birder will tell you, it is addictive and a great way to spend a day.

Beginner birders who are joining the bird watching ranks worldwide are lucky enough to discover not only a new hobby, but also a new circle of friends. You see, birders are generally friendly, happy people always welcoming to anyone who would care to join them.

This is perfect for beginners because you can pick their brains as they stroll along, learning from their experience so you know all the bits of gear you will need for your future birding adventures.

How to identify birds, what photography gear you will need, how to record your sightings, the best ways to attract them to your feeders and the top places and times of year to find them will all be covered here.

So you don’t run a fowl (hee hee), let’s get started with the basics.

Birding Gear You’ll Need

  1. Binoculars: As every avid birder will tell you, binoculars are your best friend in the field. You get a clearer view from where you stand without disturbing the bird by moving closer which means you stand a shot of seeing it long enough to identify it. When you’re just starting out it’s okay to beg/borrow a pair until you find the right ones for you. We have a few suggestions later in this post.
  2. Identification Books / Apps: You may not want to lug a big paperback field guide around in your backpack so it’s easy to leave that one at home and download a birding identification app onto your phone. Quick, easy and with the added bonus of more than one field guide. You have a virtual library at your fingertips that also lets you hear the birds call.
  3. Camera: You don’t need the most expensive camera on the market, to spend thousands of dollars or buy that lens that costs almost as much as your house. Until you gain some more experience any old point and shoot will do. Just remember in your excitement to take the shot. Chances are that as a baby birder, you may have one of those ‘fumbling’ moments as the excitement takes hold and you are juggling binoculars, your phone to try and identify it and also try to focus your camera. It’s okay, we’ve all done it so perhaps take the picture first before the bird flies away, and then try to identify it. We’ll discuss photography gear later. For more about choosing a great wildlife camera, you might want to check out: How to choose the best camera for safari. While you don’t have be on safari to go birding, most of the principals apply. 
  4. Your List: Birders love lists! The most commonly referred to list is generally their ‘lifer’. This is the list of birds they hope to see in their lifetime. They will plan trips, travel far n wide and venture into the wild and quite possibly dodgy places many times in search of lifers. This list is a birders pride and joy as is ticking one off. Life Lists and Field Journals are available for those that like tangible evidence, or you can store them in your phone as most apps have them.
  5. Backpack and Snacks: Chances are that once you are out there surrounding by fellow birders, you may lose track of time or stay longer than anticipated, especially if you’ve had a couple of good sightings. So, some snacks in your backpack is a good idea to keep that energy up for you to continue.
Saddle billed stork

Learn more about the saddle billed stork

Now, you know the essentials, let’s move on and cover them in more depth.


Identification Books (4)

Many birders will have both (Paperback and app). Using slim lightweight pocket guides out on their adventures doesn’t weigh them down, while the bigger volumes are left at home on the shelf.

Identification is the biggest thing you need as a birder, so here’s a Top 4 list of books usually found in every birders library.

1. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds: Eastern Region

Full of stunning pictures, this is a photo guide allowing you to quickly identify that bird before it flies away. It also, includes range maps, nesting habits, overhead flight silhouettes, voice, and much more.

It is a very comprehensive lightweight guide tha’s easily slipped into your backpack.

Check current price.

2. Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central America

This book has an identification system they say is the best things for birders since the invention of binoculars.

Great reference guide filled with sketches and photos both in black and white and in color.

Check current price.

3. National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Birds of North America

This guide is perfect for everyone with a feeder in their backyard. An easy-to-follow identification guide, tips on attracting and feeding birds, nesting and migrating species and a lot more.

Check current price.

4. Stokes Beginners Guide to Birds: Eastern Region

Full-color photos, range maps, habitat needs, tips for attracting your favorites, and many other features are all included in this pocket-sized guide.

Check current price.

Galapagos lava heron

Learn more about the Galapagos lava heron


Phone Apps (3)

The beauty of apps is that they get continually updated, have in built GPS for your lists, save trees (as a nature lover this is a big plus), generally have more pictures, are easy and quick to use and have the added bonus of including audio for you to hear the birds call as well.

Jam packed with everything you need, you can have more than one which means there is a library at our fingertips. Learn more about identifying birds by “seeing” their songs.

5. Audubon Bird Guide North America

Clear descriptions, pictures, range maps, built in personalised sighting list and map, ranges and clear audio recordings to hear the birds, this app has everything you need the best part is it’s free!

6. iBird Pro Birds North America

This app provides range, full page pictures, clear calls, birdpedia and interesting facts. There’s everything you need just in the identify section.

iBird have a range of apps covering North America, the UK, your backyard and many more. Kindle and tablet forms are available as well.

7. North American Bird Sounds

– is perfect for beginners. Specialising in their calls, this app comes with clear visual pictures, a checklist and a fun way for you to learn birds quickly by playing an identification game – guess the picture. A great way to learn the basics. Check current price.


Sight and Life Lists (2)

8. Sighting List – these are birds you have already sighted and what you are on the lookout for during your days walk in the wild.

Most apps will have a sighting list built for you to easily add them as you go along. They can be for a day or a trip, it’s just a way to remember what you have seen.

9. The Lifer List – highly coveted by birders this is the Holy Grail of lists. In the hopes of seeing the birds on that list, it will lead to many a chase (birders slang for a trip built around seeing one species of bird.

Usually a rarer bird so it may involve travelling quite a way) because they are the ones you most want to see in your lifetime.

They may be in your country or abroad, there is no holding back on this list. Just remember to get photographic evidence to show your birding friends to stop the ‘yeh right, sure you did’ teasing when you get back. After all they are generally a good-humored bunch.

Birding gear

Learn more about how to choose the best binoculars for birding


Binoculars, Spotting Scopes and Accessories (9)

Binoculars or a Spotting Scope are a must for birding. Also think about saving the pain in your neck after a few hours of lugging around binoculars and getting a harness which also helps free up your hands to quickly take a picture or flick through a field guide.

10. Nikon 7576 Monarch 5 8×42 Binoculars

This is probably the most popular binoculars amongst birders – waterproof, fog proof, a rubber armored body for added strength and extra low dispersion glass provides a clearer, sharper and more brilliant field of view.

Meanwhile, their sturdy construction and O-rings seals means these binoculars will last a lifetime.

Check current price.

11. Wingspan Optics Spectator 8×32 Compact Binoculars

This compact pair is every bird lovers dream. Lightweight, pocket-sized with a wide field of view and sharp clarity at 1,000 yards.

Non-slip grip and a lifetime warranty make them a great addition to your gear.

Check current price.

12. Bushnell Falcon 133410 Binoculars 7×35 with case

A great beginners pair has 7x focus plus Instafocus to quickly focus on fast-moving birds. Non-slip grip for all weather conditions and a great field of view at 1.000 yards means you can’t go wrong for a beginner pair.

Check current price.

13. Bespin Binoculars for Kids 8×21

Make birding fun and spend quality time outdoors with the kids as the fast focus allows them to get up close and personal with our feathered friends.

Shockproof, built for kid’s hands and comes complete with a birding double-sided map showing 583 different birds for easy reference.

Check current price.

14. Emarth 20-60x60AE Waterproof Angles Spotting Scope with Tripod

Powerful zoom and magnification high enough to watch the stars, it’s waterproof, fog proof durable construction is angled at 45 for ease of viewing.

Multi-colored lenses provide bright, clear images even in low light.

Check current price.

15. Wingspan Optics Titan 12×50 High Powered Monocular.

Providing upgraded revolutionary optics, this will spot anything clearly and accurately. It’s easy to use, comfortable and handles all weather conditions being waterproof, fog proof, drop proof, climate proof and durable.

Check current price.

16. Gosky Titan 12×50 High Power Prism and Smart Phone Holder

Enabling you to not only see up close, but also take a great photo at the same time this is ingenious and stops your friends doubting that you actually saw that ‘lifer’.

Shockproof, waterproof, dust proof and provides high magnification.

Check current price.

17. Bushnell 19125C Deluxe Binocular Harness

Interchangeable with binoculars, rangefinders of your camera this is one handy and comfortable bit of kit. Takes the pain out of long days and frees up your hands for photography or identification.

Check current price.

18. Eyeskey Binocular Harness

Provides great support taking the weight off your neck and distributing it onto your back and shoulders so a long days birding is a breeze. Interchangeable with camera and rangefinders it’s also self-adjustable to fit anyone for any purpose.

Check current price.

bird watching gear checklist

Photography and Accessories

Camera’s – When it comes to proving you just saw that ‘lifer’ then you need to be able to take the shot quickly.

These days you can get a top brand camera and accessories a lot cheaper than you used to and there are all sorts of neat accessories for your mobile phone.

19. Canon EOS Rebel T6 Digital SLR Camera

Bursting with extra’s not only is this one the world’s leading brands, but it also comes with 2 telephoto lenses allowing you to capture a great shot.

Memory cards, lenses, tripod, UV filters, strap, flash plus more. This is everything you need and amazing value for money.

Check current price.

20. Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera package

Even more memory, filters, lenses, and cleaning gear, this package well and truly holds every birder’s needs all stored in a great partitioned camera bag.

Check current price.

21. Panasonic Lumix G7 4K Mirrorless (14-140mm

A mirrorless camera with a great birding lens (14-140mm). Provides clear, bright photos for those more interested in birds than photography. Has fast and precise autofocusing for tracking the subject.

Check current price.

22. SanDisk 128GB Ultra Class Memory Card

Fast and reliable it transfers pictures and video quickly with the added bonus of being waterproof, shockproof, temperature proof, X-Ray proof and magnet proof which I dare say make it almost bomb proof in the photography world.

Check current price.

23. Case Logic DCB-304 Compact System/ Hybrid Camera Case

Top loading for quick access, padded for protection, multiple storage pockets. Zippered side compartments for cables, chargers, and filters.

Lightweight and able to change to fit camcorders or any style camera.

Check current price.

24. Camera Accessories for Cell Phones

Cell phone accessories have come a long way so if you don’t want to buy a camera.

Macro lenses, wide angle lenses alongside others can be attached to your cell phone. LS – PRO Cell Phone Camera Kit is a 3-in-1 package complete with macro, wide and fisheye lenses.

Check current price.


Gear

Gear – Spending days wandering the wilds means you will need some basics. A sturdy backpack, water or a hydration system, a snack or two and it’s probably a good idea to include a small First Aid Kit just in case of an emergency.

After all, birds aren’t the only things out there. Plus, it wouldn’t be the first time someone fell or twisted an ankle while their eyes were focused skyward.

25. Venture Pal Lightweight Durable Backpack

Made of lightweight durable anti-tear material, water resistant with multiple storage spaces to handle anything you may want to include and available in a wide range of colors it meets every birder’s needs.

Check current price.

26. Outlander 20-33L Most Durable Lightweight Daypack

Water resistant and lightweight with multiple compartments this backpack will meet all of your birding needs.

Check current price.

27. Teton Sports Oasis 2L Hydration Backpack

Combine your water and gear with this lightweight, durable and individually adjustable backpack adding to your comfort on a day outing.

Check current price.

28. Water Filtration

Ensuring you have clean drinking water is a must when in the great outdoors. Slipping a small lightweight Lifestraw Personal Water Filter into your backpack is wise in case of emergency.

It removes 99.9999% of bacteria and protozoa without using Iodine which means in case of emergency you could easily drink from a stream, river or puddle for that matter. Learn more about purifying river water.

Check current price.

29. Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit (120 piece)

Complete with an emergency 32-piece mini kit, this water and moisture resistant First Aid Kit is perfectly packed and lightweight so is easy to include in your backpack.

It even has survival tools for worse case scenarios making it a ‘must have’ item for day trips into the wilderness. Better to be prepared as they say. Here are some more must have survival gear for hikers.

Check current price.


Location Guides

30. Locations

There are location guides for specific areas you can pick up if going to another state or country.

For example: Birds of Florida Field Guide… and these are great but nowadays you have the option of just looking at your birding app and there are range maps that will help you figure out what you are most likely to see.

31. Local Guides

If traveling to another country to find a ‘lifer’ rare beauty then it is probably best to find a local guide to greatly increase your chances of seeing that rare bird.

For example: looking for the Resplendent Quetzal in Guatemala it would be wise to have a guide as it is not safe to go wandering off into the jungle.

Some blog posts help with location guides, like this list of 333 birds of British Columbia.


Bird Feeders: Bring the Birds to You

32. Feeders

Attracting birds into your garden for viewing is every birder’s delight. It also greatly increases your chances of seeing the migratory birds passing through each year if they know there is food there.

33. Choose the Right Type of Seed

Choosing the right type of seed will attract the species you wish to see. If you want to see finches then adding corn to your feeder will do nothing but you will be serenaded by all the cooing doves that arrive.

So, think about what you would like to see first, then buy the feeder that best suits.

34. Choosing the Right Feeder

Tube, hopper or platform feeders are all designed with attracting different birds into your garden.

Once again think about the species you wish to attract, where you will place your feeder and if there are other wildlife that will eat the seed, before your purchase. After all, the idea is to see birds not a wave of squirrels instead.

Read about choosing the best hummingbird and cardinal feeders.

35. Close up View with a Windowsill Feeder

Imagine being dazzled over breakfast every morning as your windowsill feeder brings your feathered friends right up to your window.

This is a great feeder for beginner birders because it allows you to get up close to study the birds which helps with identification.

36. Natures Hangout Window Bird Feeder

Clear for optimal viewing, easy to clean, divided removable feeding tray so you can have two types of seed and then place it on your window and sit back and study that gorgeous plumage up close.

Check current price.

37. Variety to See the Greatest Variety

– choosing a variety seed will attract many different species for your viewing pleasure. Wagner’s 62059 Greatest Variety Blend is an excellent way to help you identify birds quickly as it attracts the greatest variety of species and includes an identification chart on the back of the bag.

Check current price.

Phew! That was a lot of information but with this comprehensive guide and reviews, you are now fully armed with everything you need to make great choices and acquire all the right gear to get you started.

As with any new hobby, the right gear allows you see and experience your birding trips.

The exhilaration you will feel when that flash of color or movement catches your eye, and you can identify the feathers in question will quickly add another tick to another list… your bucket list.

Love bright, colorful birds? Check out this post about 26 of the most colorful birds!

Birding gear checklist


Your Turn

Have a suggestion for an absolute must-have piece of bird watching gear? Let me know in the comments!

Guide to Hiking Water: Hydration Tips, Gear, How Much to Drink... | GudGear

Friday 25th of October 2019

[…] the photographers and birders out there it also means your hands are free to capture that perfect shot or grab your binoculars in […]

André Cruz

Monday 12th of August 2019

Congratulations for the blog. I was looking for exactly this orientation, even living here in Brazil, the guidelines are universal. Obrigado. André Cruz.

Adam

Tuesday 2nd of July 2019

I just starting birdwatching and after reading this I just realized how complex the hobby is. Thank you.

George of Birdtwitcher

Tuesday 28th of August 2018

Great list Bryan for any birder Who wants to maximize on their birding adventur. About local guide they'll save you time in areas you don't know. I remember one time a guest visit Yala swamp wasted almost three hours searching for papyrus yellow warbler, but when the local guide was called it only took them 15 minutes to locate the bird and in addition with the guide you'll be able to see other species probably a chance to photo a lifer. Waterproof Notebook is very handy in some habitats like wetlands and a birder should equip themselves with one to avoid loosing data accumulated over a period of time.