Guess what? Anyone can start birding with simple (and cheap) equipment, or even with things you already have around the house. Here’s how.
Birds are everywhere! They’re in your backyard, on your street, and in your local park. And birdwatching offers an eye-opening — and above all, accessible — way to connect with nature every day.
A new social media campaign, #BlackBirdersWeek, encouraged everyone to go outdoors for adventure, enjoyment, and learning. Birding is an easy way to get connected to nature!
“But don’t you need fancy — cough, expensive — equipment that costs a lot of money?” you ask.
Not at all. Here’s a quick guide to help you get outside to look for birds and learn more about the world around you. From the absolute newbie to the diehard, we’ve got you covered with this equipment guide.
Birding for Beginners
Want the good news? You don’t need to spend any money! Chances are you have a smartphone and a notebook, and that’s really all you need to get started.
The first step is to go outside. Take a walk around and find a spot to settle down for a few minutes. Being quiet will definitely help. When you first start seeking birds, you’ll probably only really notice them once they start moving. That’s OK, just look and see if you can notice any important features of the birds, like size, shape, color, or sounds.
You can even use some free apps to try to help you identify birds. You probably won’t be perfect at figuring out what type it is, but you can keep a list of what you think you saw in your notebook.
Beginner Bird-Watching Gear
- Smartphone
- Free apps
- Notebook
- Pen
Questions You Can Ask
- How many birds can I see?
- Are there different species?
- Can I hear different calls?
Birding Gear for Amateurs
Amateur Gear
- Old point-and-shoot camera
- Binoculars
- Field guides
Questions You Can Ask
- Can I start identifying birds without a guide?
- What are the common species around me?
- Do I see different birds in different places?
Birding for the Aspiring Professional
Semi-Pro Birding Gear
- eBird app + course
- eBird by Cornell Lab (free) — iOS / Android
- How to use eBird Course (free)
- Upgraded binoculars
- Bushnell Waterproof Spectator Sport Binocular 8×32: $67
- Bushnell Prime 8×32: $104-140
- Bushnell Prime 8×42: $104-140
- Point-and-shoot camera
- Sony W800 with 5X optical zoom: $100
- Canon ELPH 180 with 8X optical zoom: $109-119
Questions You Can Ask
- How do the bird species change over time?
- Are there more birds at different times of the day?
Elite: Leveling Up
Professional Gear
- Paid app
- Sibley: $20
- Binoculars
- Vortex Diamondback 10×42: $225
- Vortex Diamondback 10×50: $249
- Digiscope
- DSLR Camera
- Canon Rebel: $399