Finding the right present for someone can be stressful. You want your gift to have meaning to the person you are giving it to, so choosing what you get them takes time and effort.
With the insight of being a birder, I know how hard it can be to buy presents for other birders and people trying to purchase gifts for me.
So, in this list of presents for birders, I want to give you several gift ideas that the bird lover in your life might not have or should add to their inventory.
Before purchasing for your birder, probe them to see if they already have the item you plan to get. This could be as simple as asking what their favorite bird books are to gauge if they have the one in your cart or visiting them and conducting a little snooping.
You’ll also want to find out their preferred method of consuming literary work. I, for example, prefer audiobooks for novels and physical paperback or hardback books for ones with illustrations or photos, while my girlfriend almost exclusively reads digital books on her Kindle.
Nearly all of these presents for birders are available on Amazon, and I’ve linked them all in their sections. One final disclaimer before we get into the gifts: I am not sponsored or endorsed by any of the products or companies in this article.
I do, however, have affiliate links with Amazon.com, so purchasing the items using the links I’ve provided does help support me, and I greatly appreciate you doing so!
I’ve split the items into seven categories that would meet an area of need for your birder. I’ve also picked out my Top 7 Presents for Birders, with one from each category.
So, without further adieu, let’s dive into 101 presents for birders!
Top 7 Presents for Birders
Best Field Gear for Birders- ZEISS Terra ED 10×42 Binoculars
My ZEISS binoculars have become my most valued piece of gear when I’m out birding. Its ability to quickly shift focus and immaculate glass clarity make birding a breeze even in low or poor light.
I know this isn’t a budget-friendly gift, but if your birder doesn’t have binoculars or could use an upgrade, I know they would be thrilled to receive this as a present. You could pool funds between a few people to make this happen or splurge for that exceptional birder in your life!
Best Bird Feeder – Bird Buddy Smart Feeder with Solar Roof
I’ve loved my Bird Buddy since putting it up earlier this year. It’s exceptionally well made, has a great aesthetic, is easy to disassemble for cleaning, and offers an intelligent identification feature that no other feeder has.
Again, this isn’t a cheap option, but that’s also why I recommend it so highly. There are other smart feeders on the market, but none of them compare to the elegance and simplicity that Bird Buddy offers.
Its companion app intelligently identifies any birds the camera captures, neatly storing these photos in species-specific folders.
The creators are always coming out with new updates to improve the Bird Buddy!
Best Way to Grow Bird Knowledge – What It’s Like to Be a Bird
David Allen Sibley’s What It’s Like to Be a Bird is my favorite bird book because it blurs the lines between a field guide and an informational textbook.
His artwork and writing make reading and getting lost in the pages a breeze. The book is split into sections about different groups of birds, such as Pelicans, Roadrunners, Tanagers, Falcons, and dozens more.
This book isn’t so technical that it would turn off a less invested reader while offering tons of detail for true bird nerds to enjoy.
I cannot recommend this book to people who don’t have it in their collection enough!
Best Book About Birds – One Wild Bird at a Time
Bernd Heinrich’s novel One Wild Bird At A Time: Portraits of Individual Lives is a beautiful story of his interactions with birds. The stories revolve around seemingly unremarkable birds performing extraordinary behaviors.
Heinrich dedicates each chapter to a different species, highlighting unique behaviors that he believes most people overlook, and I agree with him.
Stories of him listening to woodpeckers burrowing into his cabin walls and sitting out at dusk to watch American Woodcocks perform their display flights and dances were mesmerizing.
After listening to his book (I prefer audiobooks, but this is offered in electronic and digital formats), I had a new appreciation for more typical species.
If your birder hasn’t read or listened to One Wild Bird At A Time, I strongly urge you to give it to them as a gift. It’ll change the way they see and appreciate birds forever!
Best Gift for New or Young Birders – Sibley Backyard Birding Flashcards
Even though these flashcards are marketed towards new birders, they have excellent information for even experienced bird watchers.
Each card is double-sided, the front having illustrations of the birds with notes on identifying markings, and the back has information on their dimensions, range, general description, sounds, and preferred habitats.
Just like all of David Allen Sibley’s other works, these Backyard Birding Flashcards are a spectacular gift for any birder!
Best Shirt for Birders – i like birds
My girlfriend bought me this shirt years ago, and it’s been one of my favorites since. I love its simple, minimalistic design, and the reactions it gets from other birders are very entertaining!
Best Stocking Stuffer for Birders – MaxBirdFacts.com Bird Stickers
A shameless plug here, but you can order some stickers I’ve designed and put a handful in each stocking you need to stuff. I currently have 40 designs available, and I’m always working on more.
These are great on water bottles, laptops, phone cases, or anywhere you want to show your love of birds!
If you don’t see your favorite bird and want me to make an illustration of it, send me an email or leave a comment below!
Gear for Birding in the Field
ZEISS Terra ED 10×42 Binoculars
If your birder needs a good set of binoculars, and you have the budget to make this gift possible, you will open birding to an entirely different level for your birder.
I was heavily on the fence about getting binoculars when I first started birding since I thought I would miss photo opportunities if I kept switching between my camera and binos. However, after a visit to the Florida Keys Hawk Watch, my mind was changed.
Scanning the skies and horizon for a dark speck and trying to figure out what raptor it was with my camera was impossible, and my binoculars at the time were just okay. However, when I looked through a pair of ZEISS binoculars, they blew mine out of the water.
The glass clarity alone was spectacular, and its focus wheel was quicker and more precise than my Bushnells, so tracking a flying bird a few miles out and switching to a warbler close-up was a breeze.
Not even a day after getting home from the Keys, I bit the bullet and ordered my own pair of ZEISS Terra ED 10×42 Binoculars, and my only regret is that I didn’t get these earlier.
I’m a big proponent of buy once, cry once, where it’s worth spending more for a better option up front rather than having to purchase multiple times to match the more expensive item.
If you want to read about my breakdown of what I think is required for a good set of birding binoculars, check out my article Best Binoculars For Birding – $100 vs. $500 Binoculars!
The Sibley Guide to Birds Second Edition
Every birder needs an identification guide, and my recommendation is the Second Edition of David Allen Sibley’s Guide to Birds.
Sibley’s illustrations and descriptions clearly show the distinct differences between similar-looking species to help you make a proper identification.
In this guide, additional sections explain some of the verbiage used for parts he describes when making identification, along with more information about bird behavior and vocalizations.
Several birding field guides are on the market, and all of them are great. However, I think Sibley’s guide’s style and substance make it stand out!
Nikon Z7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera 45.7MP Resolution
The Nikon Z7 has been my trusty camera for many years now. Its relatively compact size and incredible image quality are breathtaking.
Being a mirrorless camera, it acts slightly differently from a traditional DSLR, but not massively. In my opinion, mirrorless cameras offer more benefits than DSLRs while coming in lighter and smaller.
I can attest to the Z7’s ruggedness, photographing birds blown into Central Florida during a hurricane or stalking through the Honduran forest in the rain looking for Canivet’s Emeralds; this camera is always at my side.
The only reason I would choose the ZEISS Terra ED 10×42 Binoculars over the Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Camera is because of the complexity that photography brings.
I’ve been photographing most of my life, learning how ISO, shutter speed, aperture, exposure, and framing on DSLR cameras since I was eight years old. I was very privileged to have my dad teach me from the perspective of a professional photographer, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the nearly two decades of practice under my belt.
However, I understand that most people didn’t grow up with this, and photography can seem daunting, which it really isn’t. All the information you need to learn is at your fingertips, literally!
Photography adds a whole new dimension to birding, where you can record, document, and share your findings. Being able to capture moments of behaviors that you’ve never seen before is genuinely exhilarating.
I love my Nikon Z7 and strongly recommend it if your birder wants to start their photography journey!
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E
Paired with the Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Camera above, this NIKKOR 200-500mm lens has been my trusted birding lens for as long as I’ve had the Z7.
It is surprisingly light for a 500mm lens, though it isn’t featherweight. It also comes at a much more affordable price than many other lenses in its magnification range.
I know you might be saying that $1,400 doesn’t sound too affordable, but this one isn’t too bad compared to other NIKKOR lenses that range between $3,000 and $16,000.
In reality, a lens at this price and magnification usually would come from an off-brand maker, but having this come directly from Nikon is excellent.
Besides, if you spend the same for the Z7 camera body, you need the glass quality to match what that camera’s specs can offer!
Nikon FTZ Mount Adapter
If you plan to use the aforementioned camera and lens together, you’ll need to get this adaptor.
Unfortunately, this is the cost of the Nikon Z7 camera since the only options that fit their mirrorless cameras don’t reach 500mm.
A new lens launched this year, the NIKON NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR, fits their mirrorless Z pattern. However, I haven’t had a chance to test it, so I cannot recommend it, yet.
So, for now, at least, make sure you order the FTZ adaptor if you purchase the Nikon Z7 camera and NIKKOR 200-500mm lens.
OP/TECH USA Pro Camera Strap
If your birder already has a nice pair of binoculars or a camera they are accustomed to, they might need a new or more comfortable strap, and I love my OP/TECH strap.
I upgraded my camera strap earlier this year since my original OP/TECH started wearing out after ten years.
The thick, comfy pad helps carry my camera on my shoulder or around my neck much more comfortably than the factory strap from Nikon.
SIRUI P-326 6 Section Carbon Fiber Monopod
I use this monopod to turn my camera into a digital scope.
What I mean by this is the Nikon Z7 has a function where it can digitally zoom in on the live image through the lens. So, even though my lens maxes out at 500mm, approximately 10x, I can extend this to around 30x magnification using this digital zoom!
This monopod helps to stabilize the image when I’m scanning for rare ducks on a lake or looking for seabirds out at the horizon. I like this more than a tripod because of its compact size and extremely lightweight.
It also contracts into a reasonably small package that I keep on my camera bag all the time, so it stays handy.
Vortex Optics Razor HD 27-60×85 Spotting Scope
Spotting scopes are vital to any birder’s arsenal.
Think of it in terms of vehicles: your binoculars are a car that can get you almost anywhere, but it’ll take some time, whereas a spotting scope is a plane that allows your eyes to travel much farther and quicker than your car ever could.
The Vortex Razor HD scope is the perfect launching point for your birder to get into spotting scopes. As I said before, I’ve been able to make my camera work like a scope, but comparing this to the real thing is almost shameful.
The real benefit you gain from a good scope is its field of view for magnification.
Most binoculars only hit 10x magnification, whereas this scope is six times as powerful on its maximum setting!
NEEWER 74″ Pro Video Tripod with Fluid Head
If you get a spotting scope, you’ll also need to get a tripod, and this is the one I recommend.
It’s affordably priced, and the fluid head allows very smooth tracking and panning while looking through the scope.
JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker
This speaker is my secret weapon while I bird. Some species, especially in North America, respond to scold or threat calls to mob away a potential predator.
We, as birders, can use this to our advantage and hack this behavior to increase our bird counts. Playing recordings of these mob calls can draw in birds to see what the commotion is all about.
Playing recorded calls and songs can also attract specific species, causing them to respond to the playback, giving away their position.
Disclaimer: this practice shouldn’t be done often or during seasons when birds need to conserve energy, such as nesting and migration.
Playing these calls does stress birds out, so never play them near a potential or known active nest site. This could cause birds to abandon their nest if the stress is too intense, so again, use this knowledge with extreme care.
Lowepro LP37129 Flipside 400 AW II Camera Backpack
This is the camera bag I’ve been using for the better part of a decade, and I love it.
It’s small enough that it’s easy to travel with but large enough to take my camera, lenses, laptop, chargers, and other devices.
Osprey Daylite Everyday Backpack
For a lightweight daypack, the Osprey Daylite is my immediate recommendation.
With nothing in it, this pack weighs next to nothing while still having comfortable straps and a well-ventilated back pad.
It also has a pouch where a water bladder can be stashed and loops on the straps for tube management.
This lightweight pack is perfect for your birder to carry around their field guide, camera, spare batteries, food, water, and whatever else they need while out looking for feathered friends!
Helikon-Tex Possum Waist Pack
Thankfully, fanny packs are returning to fashion, and I’m a big fan of them!
There are tons of options to choose from, but my favorite is the Helikon-Tex Possum. They offer a slightly larger pouch called the Bandicoot, but I think the Possum is just right.
So why would your birder benefit from a waist or fanny pack? Simple, it extends what they can carry in their pockets into a very compact package.
I can put everything from my pockets into the main pocket while I keep other items (spare charging cord, notebook and pen, cleaning cloth, eye drops, and lip balm) in the smaller front pouch.
Having a fanny pack also makes a perfect phone holder while recording on Merlin if you don’t have a belt clip for your phone.
If your birder doesn’t have a fanny pack, maybe it’s time to get them one!
LifeStraw Collapsible 1L Filter Water Bottle
Staying hydrated while birding is critical, especially in the hot summer months. There are many options to carry water into the field, but the LifeStraw Collapsible 1L Filter Water Bottle is probably the best.
Because it collapses, it takes up very little space once drained. Your birder won’t have to worry about where their water comes from because this bottle has a built-in filter to remove bacteria, parasites, microplastics, dirt, and other impurities.
Nalgene BPA-Free Water Bottle
If your birder doesn’t already have a Nalgene, then you need to get them one! There are dozens of colors and different volumes and mouth styles, too.
While it lacks the filter from the LifeStraw, Nalgenes are affordable and prevent the waste of single-use plastic water bottles.
ZEISS Pre-Moistened Lens Cleaning Wipes, 200 Count
I wear glasses, so clean lenses are a must for me. These wipes are something I keep in my pocket all the time now because of how convenient they are.
Because they are pre-moistened with an alcohol-based solution, these wipes clean off dust, grease, smudges, water spots, and anything else obscuring your glass.
If your birder doesn’t have a box of these, they’ll really appreciate you gifting them one!
Nitecore NB10000 Gen II Ultra-Slim Power Bank
I can’t tell you how many times this little battery pack has saved me from having a dead phone.
I’m sure your birder has also run into issues of juggling running Merlin and eBird while having to watch their battery level slowly drain away, and a dead battery could mean a birding trip ends a little sooner than usual.
At only 5.3 ounces, I keep this stuffed in my fanny pack and completely forget about it. And you don’t have to just use this while birding!
A backup power source for electronic devices is a lifesaver for just about anyone, so this makes an excellent gift for anyone!
The Sibley Birder’s Life List and Field Diary
If your birder prefers physical copies of documents and literature over digital, then the Sibley Birder’s Life List and Field Diary might be the perfect gift for them!
This physical life list allows your birder to note when and where they saw their first viewing of 923 species in North America.
And, with areas to journal, this makes an excellent field notebook for birding!
If Your Birder Needs More Feeders
Bird Buddy Smart Feeder with Solar Roof
I love my Bird Buddy! There are a handful of smart bird feeders out there, but none match the level of excellency as the Bird Buddy.
The thing that makes it so perfect is the intelligent identifying feature it has. The way this works is a motion-activated camera housed in the feeder triggers when a bird lands.
This camera then sends the photos to the connected app on your smartphone via Wifi, which uses a database of images to identify the species for you. All these images are stored in the app as collections by each species, making finding specific photos easy.
I will say that when I first started using the Bird Buddy, it would be frustrating to see a bird sit at the feeder for more than enough time for the camera to trigger, but no images would come through the app.
However, several new updates have made this system much more reliable and sensitive to birds coming in.
Additionally, the Bird Buddy team now offers a subscription service to see and connect to other smart feeders around the world! I’ve been using this for a few months now, and it is so great to collect photos of birds from all over the globe.
The other great thing about the Bird Buddy is it will keep track of the birds coming to your feeder when you can’t sit there and watch it. Being at work or on vacation and seeing the usual birds come to the feeder is reassuring that everything is going well with my birds.
This model has a solar roof, which mine unfortunately doesn’t have. This add-on makes it so you rarely have to remove your camera from the feeder to charge it, as long as the solar panels have enough sunlight.
Additional accessories for the Bird Buddy include wall mounts, perch extendors, suet ball holders, water trays, and more!
If your birder doesn’t have one of these, I’m sure it’s on their radar, and they hope to get it as a gift!
More Birds Giant Combo Outdoor Feeder
This behemoth of a feeder is so lovely for a high-traffic bird feeder station. The main cylinder is separated in half by a divider so you can have different feed types on each side.
I tend to put white millet on one half and black oil sunflower seeds on the other.
I’ve seen all of my visitors feed from this feeder: House Finches, Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Mourning Doves, Blue Jays, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Boat-tailed Grackles, American Goldfinch, Northern Mockingbirds, and many others.
Once filled, it does weigh a substantial amount, so make sure your birder’s feeder array can handle the load. I should also note that feed inside this feeder can become wet in heavy rain and humidity, causing it to cake and mold to grow, so you might not want to completely fill it during those moister months.
Window Bird Feeder
This window feeder is perfect for bringing birds as close to you and your birder as possible! I’ve had one of these for a few years, and it was my only feeder for a while when I lived on the second floor with virtually no space for a proper feeder.
If your birder lives in a dorm, apartment, or somewhere lacking a yard or space for them to set up a shepherd’s hook and some feeders, this is probably their best option.
The three suction cups hold on well, and it is easy to clean up and see where messes are left. The feeder tray is divided in half, so you can put two food sources in at once and not have them mix.
I like to do either black oil sunflower seeds or a mixed feed on one side and dried black soldier fly larvae on the other. These two types of food maximize the number of species coming to the window feeder: more typical feeder birds to the seeds and warblers and bluebirds to the worms.
This would also be an excellent option for a window near the sink, giving you something to watch while washing the dishes.
Overall, I think everyone needs at least one of these window feeders on their house somewhere!
Glass Humming Bird Feeder
A good rule of thumb for hummingbird feeders is to have a glass body and red and yellow feeder base to attract the birds.
Both of these requirements are helpful for both you and the hummingbirds. The clear glass body readily shows you how much nectar is left, while it is also reflective to catch the bird’s attention, and the red base and yellow flowers are perfect bright colors that naturally attract hummingbirds to feed.
Even if your birder already has one hummingbird feeder, it’s not a bad idea to have a handful of these in their feeder station. Hummingbirds are highly territorial of a good food source, so multiple feeders spread apart could increase your overall number of visitors.
Wild Wings Cedar Tray Hanging Bird Feeder
Hanging feeder trays are vital to a suitable feeder setup. Think of your backyard bird feeder station as an amusement park; different people go to parks for various reasons, and this is the same for birds.
Different birds prefer to feed from other feeders and types of foods. Birds like bluebirds, flycatchers, and many kinds of warblers don’t care for typical hopper feeders and usually don’t eat seeds or grain. These birds are visual insect hunters and need to see their food to become attracted, which is where tray feeders come in.
Laying out a bed of dried mealworms or black soldier fly larvae on an exposed platform will be like a dinner bell for any of these birds flying around your area.
6-Port Hanging Metal Tube Feeder
This is another excellent option for a high-volume feeder, though less than the More Birds Giant Combo Outdoor Feeder.
These are great to help bulk out your setup and increase the number of birds that can visit at a time.
Hanging Oriole Bird Feeder
Though orioles are beautifully bright birds, they are one of the most stubborn feeder visitors. They require fruit and jelly feeders, which also benefit several other species.
I’ve tried a few oriol feeders; the ones with multiple parts always get gross quickly and require constant cleaning. Plastic ones also tend to fade in color pretty soon in the Florida sun.
This feeder is my go-to recommendation because of its simple, one-piece metal design and glass jelly tray.
There are two spikes where you can add fruit slices, and the bright orange color attracts the oriole’s attention.
Even if your birder’s goal isn’t to add orioles to their backyard visitors, warblers, finches, cardinals, catbirds, and loads of other species will appreciate the fresh fruit and jelly from this feeder!
Bird’s Choice Suet Feeder with Tail Prop
One of the issues with most suet or woodpecker feeders is that they lack tail props, which isn’t a problem with this feeder!
Woodpeckers use their stiff tail feathers to help support their bodies while they peck and feed on trees, so just a swinging square cage can be a little clumsy. However, once they have the added support from a tail prop, they will sit and work on a suet block to their heart’s content.
Other species love these feeders, too. The fat from the suet block is a vital part of any bird’s diet, especially during the winter. I’ve had Carolina Wrens and Yellow-throated Warblers constantly visit my suit feeders in the colder months for extra calories.
Window Mount Single Suet Feeder
Like the clear window bird feeder, this suction cup suet feeder is perfect for your birder who lacks yard space.
I’ve had one of these for several years, and like my other window feeder, this was perfect when I couldn’t have a proper setup. Woodpeckers are some of my favorite birds, and having them come in close enough to count their feathers is a real treat!
And even if they have ample space for a feeder array, they could always use an extra feeder to spread the birds around!
Like the previous suet feeder, many other species feed from these, so your backyard birds always appreciate extra food and space.
Solar Bird Bath Fountain Pump
Regardless of what kind of birdbath you plan on gifting or what your birder already has, they must get a solar fountain pump!
This is the simplest and quickest way to attract birds to any bird feeder. When birds hear moving water, they assume it is clean and check out its source. Once they find the bath, they’ll explore the area and quickly see the food you’ve laid out for them!
These solar pumps are great because they only need the power of the sun to run, and they can really shoot high in full daylight!
One thing of note: these pumps are not purifiers or act in any way to clean your birdbath, so make sure you are still cleaning it regularly.
Saucer Drip Tray
This drip tray is the most basic and my favorite type of birdbath. You don’t have to get this one in particular, though I love mine, but hear me out.
Drip trays are readily available, stackable when stored, and easy to clean and move. Simply take a pot or log and place your drip tray on it, fill it with water, and you have a bird bath!
The one I’ve linked is plastic, painted to look like terra cotta, so if it falls or gets knocked over, you won’t have to worry about it breaking.
These hold a surprising amount of water and work excellently with the solar fountains.
Bird Bath with 5-Prong Base Metal Stake
This birdbath has worked well for me for several years.
The deep bowl and sturdy metal base allow me to move it around wherever it needs to go, and it doesn’t shift or move even in intense storms or having raccoons drink from it.
The wide rim allows birds to perch while they drink, but I recommend placing a few larger stones inside to bathe more easily.
Hanging Glass Bird Bath
This hanging bird bath is a beautiful addition to a garden! The colorful glass lights up in the sunshine.
You can also use this as a platform feeder, though you’ll have to clean it after rain since there are no drainage holes.
Sunnydaze Ceramic Bird Bath
This birdbath is on the pricy side, but it is a stunning piece of art. Hand-painted fired ceramic is an attractive addition to your birder’s garden or bird feeder station.
There are five colors to choose from, and my favorite is Dusty Rose.
76 Inch Double Shepherd Hook
Shepherd hooks are the way to set up your bird feeder stations. They are easy to move around and position and relatively cheap.
Even if your birder has one set up, they might need one or two more to add a hummingbird or oriole feeder or to spread out and allow more birds to visit at a time. Having multiple feeding stations helps enable more species to arrive, especially when a more aggressive bird takes over one feeder.
Predator Guard Squirrel Baffle
If you struggle with squirrels eating all of your bird feed, you HAVE to get a squirrel guard. All it is is a cone that wraps around your shepherd’s hook, preventing them from climbing up.
This is the same one I’ve been using for several years, and it works flawlessly as long as the feeders are out of jumping distance for the squirrel. The feeders need a 6-foot radius around them where there are no launching points and no less than 10 feet from a roof or tree where the squirrel could jump down.
I used to use the trick of mixing my seeds with chili powder, and this works until the rain washes it off. However, a suitable squirrel guard makes it almost impossible for these mammals to steal your bird’s food.
And it’s pretty entertaining watching them try to figure out how to get around the guard!
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds 25lbs
Buying bird food is tricky since many birders have a specific type or mix they like to provide, which is what their backyard visitors are used to.
However, everyone needs more black oil sunflower seeds!
Virtually every bird that visits my feeders gorge on these sunflower seeds. Mourning Doves will hog the platforms and graze for half an hour while Blue Jays and Red-bellied Woodpeckers fly in to steal a few mouthfuls at a time.
However, Northern Cardinals adore black oil sunflower seeds and will almost immediately come to your feeders once they are available.
I keep a five-gallon bucket filled with these seeds, and I have to refill that bucket every few months. I’m sure your birder is in the same boat and would greatly appreciate some sunflower seeds for a gift!
Peanut Delight No Melt Suet Dough 8 Pack
These are great suet feeders, and woodpeckers love them!
Raw Peanuts in Shell 5lbs
Raw peanuts are a game changer if your birder doesn’t already use them. Blue Jays and Red-bellied Woodpeckers go nuts for them, and they are the best way to attract Crows to your feeder station.
I’ve watched Fish Crows walk around and inspect my feeders, looking for any sign of nuts. I’ve seen them watch me from nearby trees while I refill the feeders with peanuts, and they quickly fly in and snatch up a few to eat back in their hiding place.
Even little Tufted Titmice fly off with peanuts that are almost as large as they are!
One thing to ensure before you purchase peanuts for your birder: they are raw and unsalted.
During roasting, oils, and salt are added to peanuts to make them tasty for us. This, unfortunately, is not healthy for birds, and the increased salt could seriously hurt them.
So, when buying peanuts for birds, ensure they are marketed for birds, not people.
Songbird Essentials BirdBerry Jelly Squeeze Bottle 2 Pack 20oz
Jelly for birds is very different from what we put on PB&J’s.
If your birder needs some jelly for their oriole feeder, I recommend this!
Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae 5lbs
Although these are marketed as agricultural feed for chickens, my birds love these black soldier fly larvae!
If your birder is buying mealworms, they are probably spending more money on a smaller amount than they would if they switched to these.
These larvae are a little larger than mealworms, but my Eastern Bluebirds and resident Eastern Phoebe don’t seem to mind.
Presents to Grow Birding Knowledge
What It’s Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing – What Birds Are Doing, and Why
This is my favorite bird book in my library, hands down.
The way Sibley writes about these different groups and the behaviors that make them all unique is fascinating to read.
His artwork is just as stunning as usual and is a perfect visual aid for the writing.
It is perfect for people interested in learning more about the behaviors and lifestyles of birds, and this will inevitably increase your birder’s skills.
Like I said before, I cannot recommend this book enough!
Birds of the World Subscription
Unlike other memberships and subscriptions, this is strictly to give your birder access to virtually all the information they could ever dream of about birds.
I’ve used this source for research in my articles and spent countless hours just meandering through the species pages, learning about birds from every corner of the globe.
Birds of the World is a fantastic archive of every minute detail collected on every species of avian in the world. Some pages are more filled in than others, which seems to be based on the quantity of research on these species.
Peterson Field Guide To Bird Sounds Of Eastern North America
Merlin is likely the most popular app among birders, second only to eBird. However, if you’ve ever had Merlin capture a call on the spectrogram but not make the identification, this is the book to solve this issue.
The Peterson Field Guide To Bird Sounds contains visual representations of spectrograms for each call and song listed.
This data is valuable for understanding how certain bird songs sound the way they do and allows you to “read” them.
This book is definitely geared toward higher-level birders, but if your birder fits this description, this guide would be a valuable addition to their library!
Sibley Birder’s Trivia: A Card Game: 400 Questions to Test Every Birder’s Knowledge
This trivia card game is perfect to test your birder’s knowledge! Each card has an easy and hard question to really find out how much of a bird nerd you are.
From birds in popular culture to taxonomic trivial, there’s bound to be a question that will stump even the most tested birder.
Handbook of Bird Biology 3rd Edition
This was my textbook for Ornithology, and it’s about as you’d expect.
There is a ton of fantastic information and sections to test your knowledge, but it is geared more toward the birders who want to learn what birds are and why they are so special.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to everyone. Still, if your birder is interested in field study or wants to learn everything there is to know about bird biology, then they have to have this textbook!
A Birder’s Guide to Florida
The Birder’s Guide to Florida is a relatively niche book, being that it focuses solely on my home state, but it’s a book I don’t think enough people know about.
This 418 book is packed with knowledge of every corner of the state and where your best chance of finding a species is.
It’s split into chapters based on the region of the state, with all of the significant hotspots listed. This book also tells the reader when the best time of the year is for finding different species in these areas.
If your birder plans on doing a Big Year, you must get them this book or its equivalent for your state!
The Complete Birds of the World: Every Species Illustrated
The Complete Birds of the World is a fantastic book to visualize every species currently known.
The Backyard Birdwatcher’s Bible
I don’t know if there is a more diverse book for birders than The Backyard Birdwatcher’s Bible.
This book is split into four seemingly simple chapters, but the detail in which each subject is laid out is staggering. Here are the titles of each chapter:
- Chapter One: Backyard Bird Species
- Chapter Two: Birdwatching for Beginners
- Chapter Three: Attracting Birds
- Chapter Four: Birds in Art
Topics such as how to build a birdhouse, what types of flowers are native to which parts of the world will attract birds better, and 143 pages of excellent images and detailed descriptions of individual species that are common backyard birds throughout North America make this book so unique.
There is something for everyone in this book, and it truly deserves the title of The Backyard Birdwatcher’s Bible!
The Bird Name Book: A History of English Bird Names
The Bird Name Book is a great book to learn why birds are called the names we’ve given them.
Images and illustrations for every period of history fill the pages of this book. The author, Susan Myers, does an excellent job discussing the history of these common English names, and she occasionally dives into the meanings of their scientific names.
Overall, this book leans more into the technical side of writing, though it is perfect to pick up now and then and read a couple dozen pages or to learn more about why birds are named the way they are!
An Asylum of Loons: Charming Names from the Bird World
Similar to The Bird Name Book, An Asylum of Loons tells the reader the roots of collective nouns for groups of birds.
Group names, such as a mewing of Catbirds or a chain of Bobolinks, are all explained.
This is a great book to increase your birding vocabulary!
The Bedside Book of Birds
The Bedside Book of Birds is a beautiful book that illustrates the depth that birds have had on countless cultures worldwide since the dawn of man.
From English poetry to the Mayan creation story, this book always has something unique to learn from.
I often find myself picking it up, flipping to a random page, and reading whatever is there; it is always fascinating!
Birdpedia: A Brief Compendium of Avian Lore
Birdpedia is a beautiful book that aims to increase the reader’s knowledge about all aspects of birding and bird biology.
Topics from how birds manipulate the world around them, the root to taxonomic nomenclature, and people beneficial to avian conservation are all fair game here.
The illustrations by Abby McBride also bring this book to life!
Tree Finder: A Manual for Identification of Trees by their Leaves (Eastern US)
You might be wondering why there’s a book for identifying trees in a list of books for birders.
The simple answer is that many birds live and spend their whole lives in and around trees, and understanding which tree is which might help clue a good birder in on the local ecosystem and what birds are likely there.
Just being a birder doesn’t mean all of your knowledge revolves around birds, but it kinda does!
Stories About Birds
One Wild Bird At A Time: Portraits of Individual Lives
Again, One Wild Bird at a Time is my highest recommendation for a novel on birds that every birder should read or listen to.
There are eighteen chapters, each dedicated to a seemingly unextraordinary species, where the author, Bernd Heinrich, relays some eye-opening behaviors we often overlook.
After listening to this book, I started paying more attention to all the birds around me, not just the unreported or rare species, and I found myself watching things I never registered before.
Regardless of how deep into their birding journey your birder is, they would benefit immensely from reading this beautiful book!
A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life of the World’s Smartest Birds of Prey
A Most Remarkable Creature is as much a story about the Striated Caracaras of the Falkland Islands as it is about the author’s unrelenting love for this magnificent and strange group of raptors.
Jonathan Meiburg talks about his travels around Central and South America in search of the different Caracaras that inhabit these lands.
From wasp-feeding Red-throated Caracaras to the wickedly smart Striated Caracaras, this book reeks of Meiburg’s obsession with these birds, and I love it for this.
He even details the history these birds have with man, telling of Charles Darwin’s account of these “flying monkeys” stealing his hat or a marooned whaler that came to loath these intelligent birds of prey; there was a massive amount of research behind this novel.
To See Every Bird on Earth: A Father, a Son, and a Lifelong Obsession
To See Every Bird on Earth is a beautiful story written by the son of a man utterly obsessed with birds.
I don’t want to spoil any of the story because you and your birder must read this immediately if you haven’t already.
However, it is a touching book about following a child’s love of birds through their life and seeing this obsession grow to the point where he tries to see every bird on earth!
The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession
The Big Year might be among the most popular ways people have heard of serious, competitive birding.
This true story follows three birders, all trying to break the record for seeing the most birds in North America in one calendar year.
As you can imagine, many mistakes are made and lessons learned, but following these characters on their journey to winning a Big Year is a blast!
If your birder hasn’t read this book or watched the movie, you must do both!
The Feather Thief
While not necessarily a birding book, The Feather Thief is about the Malay Archipelago, Alfred Russel Wallice, fly fishing, and a museum robbery.
This might seem like an odd mix of topics, but trust me when I say they all fit perfectly like a puzzle.
The Feather Thief perfectly mixes the genres of mystery, natural history, and birds while remaining a true story.
I won’t give you any more details than that to save the suspense, but I highly recommend The Feather Thief for your birder!
In the Company of Crows and Ravens
This book is how you get someone to love corvids truly. Written by John M. Marzluff, a Professor of Wildlife Science at the University of Washington, clearly knows what he’s talking about regarding the intelligence of crows, ravens, and jays.
He goes on to discuss how different species of crows are distinct, yet not at the same time.
It can become technical at points, but overall, In the Company of Crows and Ravens is something every birder should read to better appreciate these sometimes frowned upon birds.
Gifts for New or Young Birders
Sibley Backyard Birding Flashcards
As I said in my Top 7 Picks at the beginning of this list, these flashcards are perfect for someone to learn more about their backyard birds.
These 100 cards have beautiful illustrations of each species, showing their distinct differences, and the back of each card is packed with knowledge.
You can even use these to quiz your birder by covering the name at the bottom of the card with your finger and having them identify the species.
An even harder test would be to read off information from the back of the card and see if your birder can identify the species based on its range, voice, or description!
Nikon Aculon A211 10×42 Binoculars
Want to give a pair of excellent binoculars to someone just starting on their birding journey without breaking the bank? Then the Nikon Aculon A211 10×42 Binoculars are what you need!
Coming in just around $100, they have excellent glass clarity, a durable design, and are lightweight for anyone to carry around while birding. I strongly urge against anything lower than this price point; the quality and durability nosedive below $75-$100.
I know my top pick for a present for birders was a $499.99 pair of ZEISS binoculars, but these might not work for your budget or your birder’s needs.
If you can’t swing the Zeiss price tag, I completely understand because I was there too. And, if your birder is just getting started and isn’t sure this hobby is for them, then spending $500 on a maybe doesn’t make sense.
The nice thing about having a pair of inexpensive binos is that you’ll have them as backups if you or your birder decides to upgrade to ZEISS. They also come in handy to lend to a friend to hook them into birding.
You really can’t ask for much better than these Nikons as a first pair or backup set of binoculars!
Bushnell H2O Roof Prism 10×42 Binoculars
The Bushnell H2O binoculars were the first pair of proper binos I’ve owned, and I still recommend them to new birders for the same reason as the Nikons.
While the glass quality is a little better with the Nikons, the Bushnells are still excellent binoculars and come in a little lighter.
The main difference between the two is the profile of the binoculars, where the Bushnells are slightly smaller and lighter, and the Nikons are a little bulkier.
While they’re around the same $100 price point, you won’t go wrong with either pair!
Backyard Birds Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists
If you’re trying to get your kids into birding, this is the book you need to gift them!
Peterson does an excellent job keeping these descriptions simple and easy to understand while making them detailed enough that you might learn something new.
Bird Trivia: Funny, Strange, and Incredible Facts about North American Birds
This is a relatively small book, but it’s filled with tons of excellent information about birds. Some of the facts they provide are superficial, while others really dive into the intricate details of what makes birds so fascinating.
This book could be a great companion or follow-up to the Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists to give a new or younger birder more information to hook them into birding!
Sibley’s Birding Basics: How to Identify Birds, Using the Clues in Feathers, Habitats, Behaviors, and Sounds
This book is much more advanced than the Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists, making it an excellent gift for your birder who is starting to get into it!
Sibley details nearly every aspect for a birder to hone their skills and take their ability to the next level.
From tips on how to find birds to behavioral cues that can tip off one species from another, there is a wealth of knowledge within this cover.
Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
While there are apps and websites on which you can listen to bird calls and songs, I still love the ability to look at, read about, and hear the sounds of these birds all bound within a single book.
Growing up, I had a similar book, and I always listened to those bird songs while reading about their behaviors and lifestyles.
This book is unique because these bird sounds come from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and come with a short description of what these calls are from or what behavior the bird is conducting.
Barn Owl Pellets 6 Pack
The first time I dissected owl pellets was in 7th grade Biology class, and I still remember how much fun it was trying to discover what this bird had been eating. Owl pellets are compressed remains of fur, feathers, bone, and anything else the bird couldn’t digest, and the bird regurgitates these remains.
Picking apart a pellet is easy with tweezers, and each will have a unique amount and type of bones inside, depending on what the owl has been eating.
These could make for a great afternoon activity for someone to learn more about how these birds work and what makes them so fascinating!
Stonemaier Games Wingspan Board Game
I have many board games, and it is one of my favorites!
Obviously, this has to do with birds, but how you play the game helps to make the way these birds interact with each other and their environment.
Different species have different characteristics that play a function in the game.
For example, to play an Atlantic Puffin, you need three fish food tokens, which can only be placed in the water biome. The Puffin also has a bonus to draw two cards and keep one when played.
Compare this to the American Woodcock, which requires two insects and one grain tokens and can be played in either the woodland or grassland biomes. The Woodcock doesn’t have any additional benefits, but it is worth more points for the total score at the end of the game.
Predatory birds, like the Barred Owl, also have unique characteristics. When activating the bird, if you draw a card that matches the action requirements, you gain the points of that drawn card for endgame points.
There is much more to talk about with Wingspan, but I won’t get into gameplay details. I could easily write an article just on this game, but I love the attention to detail and evident passion the creators of Wingspan have for birds!
And, if your birder already has and loves Wingspan, there are three expansions for the game for Europe, Asia, and Oceania, along with a FREE app that will scan the game card and play the song of the bird on the card!
Wingspan Europe Expansion
Wingspan Asia Expansion
Wingspan Oceania Expansion
Gift a membership to Audubon
Becoming a member of Audubon is hugely important. They do a ton of work to fight for a better world for birds and protect habitats from becoming developed.
With their membership, your birder will receive a subscription to Audubon’s magazine, access to local birding and community events, and special offers and discounts.
Gift a membership to the American Birding Association (ABA)
Joining the American Birding Association is another excellent way to support birds and give your birder new knowledge.
Depending on your spending, you can give your birder a subscription to digital or physical magazines and access to their magazine archives!
ABA does a lot of work to help make birding more accessible to young birders, and your membership helps ensure their work can continue for future birders.
Gift a membership to Project Feeder Watch
Participating in Project Feeder Watch is a delightful experience. Like eBird, you log entries of birds visiting your feeders.
This data is vital for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada to track where species stay during the winter.
When you donate or purchase a membership, they even send you a double-sided identification poster!
Fun Shirts for Birders
i like birds
I’ve had this shirt for a couple of years, and it’s perfect. The shirt itself is nothing special, but the simple design and message always get a good reaction from other birders!
easily distracted by birds
Just like the first shirt, the print says it all.
Sorry. Can’t. Hummingbirds. Bye.
This shirt is perfect for the birder or person who’s become obsessed with hummingbirds!
Birder Definition
I don’t think I’ve seen a more accurate definition of what a birder is than what is printed on this shirt. The only thing I might add
Bird Nerd
It’s fun to accept and announce that you’re a Bird Nerd! Birds are the most fascinating animals alive today, and those who know this can’t get enough of them.
If your birder is truly into avians as much as they claim to be, then they should wear this shirt with pride!
Kingfisher on Wire
This Kingfisher on Wire shirt is another simple design perfect for birders wanting to stay a little low-key.
I love Belted Kingfishers, and it makes its way into my usual rotation because of the color and design of this shirt.
Loggerhead Shrike
Seeing as the Loggerhead Shrike is my favorite bird and the mascot of MaxBirdFacts.com, I had to include it on this list. The shirt is comfortable, and the design is simple yet striking.
Japanese Woodblock Art Print Crow Kyosai
This pristine artwork is a perfect way to show your love of Crows and Ravens!
Stocking Stuffers for Birders
MaxBirdFacts.com Illustrated Bird Stickers
Another shameless plug for my stickers! These are all designs I’ve created for graphics in articles, throughout my website, and just to play around and make art.
These are printed and shipped through Redbubble.com, and their quality is fantastic. I recommend purchasing smaller batches using the Glossy finish; it makes the artwork pop a little better, and buying larger sets takes them longer to fulfill the order, and the print quality seems a little lessened.
These are great on water bottles, laptops, phone cases, or anywhere you want to show your love of birds!
4 Pack Small Hummingbird Feeders
These little hummingbird feeders have been so handy for me. Their bright red and yellow coloring attracts Ruby-throated Hummingbirds right to my window.
They hold around two ounces of nectar, which is perfect if you don’t have too many regular visitors.
These feeders are a great way to get anyone to attract hummingbirds to their home!
Audubon Birds Page-A-Day Gallery Calendar 2024
My girlfriend bought me this for Christmas last year, and I can’t believe how much fun it was to see the new bird of the day each morning.
The cards are printed front and back with the weekend sharing the same species, so there are 261 images in this calendar.
Some species are shared on different days; one day will show a male, and another will show a female, but each photo is spectacular.
I’d Rather Be Bird Watching License Plate Frame
Audubon Wood Bird Call
I still have my Audubon Bird Call from when I was a kid, probably around 20 years ago, and I still love messing around with it.
Though it doesn’t match pishing or call recordings, these are still fun to try and mimic bird calls.
I sat in my backyard and teased a pair of Carolina Wrens with my call, and they couldn’t seem to figure out how I was making such a high-pitched chirp.
This is also a blast to mess with someone and make them think a bird is calling in their house!
Men’s Bird Nerd Sock
Just like with the Bird Nerd shirt, these socks are the perfect way to show your love of avifauna.
Unisex Tropical Bird Sock
Who doesn’t expect socks for presents? The least you can do is make them some fun ones!
Women’s Fuzzy Funny Bird Socks
Keep your feet warm and cozy with a funny hidden message!
Birds on a Wire Heat Changing Mug
Who doesn’t need another coffee mug?!
All jokes aside, this mug’s color-changing ability is delightful to watch fade away when the warm beverage enters.
From a birder’s perspective, this mug mimics how a bird looks before and after entering the objectives of binoculars or a camera.
It starts as an obscure dark object that transitions into a detailed, colorful visage of the bird you were hoping for!
Wild Republic Audubon Birds American Goldfinch Plush with Authentic Bird Sound
I had a handful of these plush birds when I was little, and I loved the ones with speakers inside them. Hearing an American Robin’s summer song or the nasal call of the American Goldfinch was always fun.
I selected the American Goldfinch since it has this speaker. However, the seller, WILD REPUBLIC, has dozens of other birds to choose from if you want a plush without a speaker or a different bird.
Macaw Parrot Plush
I bought this Macaw plush for my niece for her first birthday, and she loved it!
It’s a very colorful and soft gift that could make a little one’s best friend.
Perched Bird Sponges 4 Pack
Now you can look at birds while doing the dishes!
The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America
As a warning, before you get this book, it is filled with expletives and foul language. That said, it has well-written facts and information on the birds.
So, if your birder enjoys some dirty jokes and is mature enough, I think they would get a kick out of receiving this book!
Tom’s Bird Feeders Sandhill Crane Embroidered Cotton Cap
I almost always have a ballcap on my head when I’m birding, so having one with a bird on it is great! It’s an excellent way to show off your favorite species to other birders.
The seller, Tom’s Bird Feeders, has over 40 avian species on their hats and several t-shirt designs. Check them out to see if your birder’s favorite species is on a ballcap!
Binocular/Telescope Phone Adapter
While these adapters can be finicky, once they work, they can turn your binoculars into a lens for your phone. And, if you or your birder is just starting and has a pair of binos and no camera, this could be what you create your first shots with.
One word of advice with these adapters: keep their dimensions in mind for what device you have. I have a large phone (Samsung Note S20 Ultra), so most don’t work for me. If you have a larger-than-average smartphone, you might need to find a different solution to your magnification needs.
Penguin Cocktail Shaker
This was too goofy not to add to the list. If your birder has a bar or likes to mix a drink or two after an exhausting day of chasing birds, they’ll love this shaker!
Metal Hummingbird Garden Statue
A flash of color and artwork in a garden is always a pleasant delight! This Hummingbird Statue would be perfect for the birder you got the “Sorry. Can’t. Hummingbirds. Bye.” shirt.
And, if Hummingbirds aren’t your preference, the seller also offers statues of Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Brown or Gray Owls!
Birdwatching Passport Sized Mini Notebook
While this little notebook won’t fit your entire life list, it is handy if you want to go old-school on a birding trip. This notebook could also be handy when cell service isn’t working, and eBird won’t load.
If you’ve ever been out to a remote hotspot where service is spotty, you know how frustrating it can be to remember everything you saw after returning to civilization. However, if you had this little notebook in your back pocket, entering that list into eBird would be a breeze.
It also has little tips and pointers for what to look for when making an identification. Overall, this pocket notebook forces a birder to work like someone would have before cell phones and tech made this hobby so much more accessible, and an exercise in this makes one appreciate what we have now.
WORD TEASERS About Birds 150 Questions Conversation Starters
If your birder is serious about knowing their birds, avian history, taxonomy, and other aspects that revolve around avians, these question cards are right up their alley!
My girlfriend gifted this to me last Christmas, and we quiz each other while cooking dinners or cleaning dishes after.
We’ve re-read the cards several times, but they are still amusing to chat about.
Sibley Backyard Birding Puzzle: 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Puzzles, personally, don’t work with my brain, but I know how much some people love them. Sibley did a fantastic job, as usual, designing this puzzle of backyard birds!
With 1,000 thousand pieces and 50 species, this is the perfect puzzle for that puzzling birder you’re gifting for!
Now We Know 101 Presents for Birders!
Hopefully, this list of 101 Presents for Birders has helped you come up with a few gifts for that special birder in your life!
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you have ideas or suggestions for topics you would like me to write about in the future, feel free to leave a comment below or email me!
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Get Outside & Happy Birding
Max