What to Wear Bird Watching
Muted colors, quiet fabrics, layers, the right boots and hat, bug and sun cover, and blaze orange in hunting season.
This section covers binoculars and other gear for watching birds: binoculars, monoculars, field guides, and the basics to bring along. Our roundups explain magnification, objective size, close focus, and weight in plain terms, using manufacturer specifications, and say who should look elsewhere.
New to birding? Start with how to start bird watching. Then compare the best binoculars for bird watching. Clothing tips are in what to wear bird watching. Backyard birders can watch from a window too, so many of our feeder guides pair well with this gear. Every recommendation is based on manufacturer specifications and published owner feedback, as described on our How We Review page. We do not list prices, because they change too often to stay accurate.
Muted colors, quiet fabrics, layers, the right boots and hat, bug and sun cover, and blaze orange in hunting season.
What each number on a binocular spec sheet means for birding, from 8x42 and exit pupil to field of view,…
Nine compact and pocket binoculars compared on field of view, eye relief, close focus, weight, and weather sealing, with what…
Ten binoculars for new birders compared on field of view, eye relief, close focus, weight, and fit, with our pick…
Identify backyard birds of the Midwest by group, with FeederWatch counts for eight states showing which birds are everywhere and…
Start with the birds outside your window, a field guide and notebook, 7x or 8x binoculars when ready, and a…
Ten birding binoculars compared on field of view, close focus, eye relief, and weight, with advice on choosing 8x or…
Eight bird watching gifts matched to the person, from binoculars and a spotting scope to feeders, a bird bath, and…