Equipment For Bird Watching

Almost every hobby or sport needs some sort of equipment in order to fully participate and show your potential, birding is no different. 

Compared to many other hobbies and sports, birding is relatively inexpensive. Just like anything else, depending on how enthusiastic you plan to get into birding will determine how much you plan to spend on equipment.  For the beginner or less enthusiastic birder all that is needed is binoculars, a notebook, and a field guide.  For the more active and devoted birders, other equipment might be needed.

Binoculars
Every birder needs a good pair of binoculars in order to observe their target without disturbance.  When looking for a good pair of binoculars there are a few thing you should know before you buy them.  Those little numbers on a pair of binoculars such as 7x50, 8x40, or 10x50 do actually hold some meaning to a buyer. The fist number which is the smaller number stands for the magnification.  The second number which is the larger one stands for the diameter of the front lens in millimeters.

To break it down simply, the bigger the number on the binoculars, the greater the magnification. So if you choose the 10x50 you are going to gain greater magnification than with the binoculars that are 7x50. So, does bigger mean better?  Not necessarily in the art of birding.  With binoculars bigger means heavier, where the smaller ones are lighter and easier to carry around with you.  The larger magnification binoculars are better suited to when you are stable, not when you are moving around.

So which ones should be used for birding?  It's not suggested to use the smallest magnification due to the reduction in light and smaller field of view. The best suggestion is to look within the range of the 7x35 or 8x40 binoculars. It's very possible to get a decent pair of binoculars at a reasonable price. Just remember to try them out before purchasing and cheaper isn't always the best route to take with binoculars.

Those who get seriously into birding tend to invest more into their binoculars and choose models that use range roof prisms.  Higher end models that use the range roof prisms tend to be more compact and more user friendly than those that use porro prisms.  Another important factor to take into consideration is the binocular strap, not something you wouldn't necessarily think about when a beginner.  It's very important to have a binocular strap that is comfortable because you are going to have that weight strapped around your neck for possibly hours.  You want make sure to have a strap that is wide and comfortable, or look into one that distributes the weight evenly.

Field Guide
A field guide is quite a useful tool to any birder. A birding field guide is a book that has been specifically designed to help the reader to identify birds.  Field guide are also designed so that you make take it into the field with you.  It normally has a compact design that can easily fit into a backpack or pocket. A field guide if full of information on birds. It not only describes the different species of birds, it also includes picture to make it easier to identify them.  It also suggests what to look for when birding.

When looking for a bird field guide, it is important to find a guide that is particular to your region. There are bird guides that focus on certain areas such as Alaska, Colorado, and Michigan. It's important to remember that a certain bird species found on the east coast might not share the same habitat as those found on the west coast and vice versa.  If you live in Florida and plan to do your birding there, then you should find a bird guide that features the species found in Florida in order to fully benefit from your bird field guide.

Checklists
A birding checklist is a bird list for areas all over the world. Checklists can be found through many state and national parks, as well as online through your local department of wildlife website. A checklist help to identify which birds are ingenious to a certain area. Birding.com also has checklists for every state and province in the United States, Canada, and every country in the world.  This can be found by clicking on the bird checklists link and choosing your desired location

Spotting Scope
A spotting scope is a portable telescope often used in birding when not on the go. The magnification of a spotting scope is greater than that of binoculars and run in the range from 10x to 250x depending on need of the birder.  This type of scope is generally used when observing birds on land, requiring a range of magnification not found in binoculars.  A spotting scope is designed for wider fields of view and is great for long distance viewing.

Tripod
A tripod is a three legged stand for a spotting scope, used to stabilize and elevate the spotting scope.  The tripod is used as a stand for the scope so that you can be hands free while birding.  It also helps to keep it stable so you don't have to worry about losing your target.

Clothing
Clothing when birding can be essential. You need to wear the right clothing for the area and weather conditions when you are birding.

Foot Gear
Shoes are very important. When birding its imperative that you have the proper shoes on. Very often you will be walking extensively and need to be wearing shoes that allow for this with maximum comfort. Also consider that you might do some hiking in certain areas and need to be equipped with the proper foot gear for these excursions.