Mississippi National River and Recreation Area - Birding Gear (U.S. National Park Service)

Beginning Birders
With so many different types of birds out there, learning to recognize them can seem impossible. But experts aren't the only ones who can enjoy bird watching. It just takes practice and the right kind of gear. Compared to some other hobbies, bird watching is simple and it's easy to get started. If you're thinking about becoming a birder, there are three main items listed below that you might find helpful.

Field Guides
Field guides are used for identifying the birds you see. A good guide should have quality photos and include a variety of bird species. There should also be extensive descriptions of the birds. This way you can either compare the photos to the birds while you're watching them, or use the information along with a field notebook later on. Range maps, behavior data, and glossaries are also positive features. Shop around for a good field guide at any bookstore (DNR Bookstore). Members of the St. Paul Audubon Society have recommended some possible choices:

Robbins, Bruun, Zim, Singer: Golden Guide, Birds of North America
National Geographic Society Field Guide to the Birds of North America
Donald &Lillian Stokes: Stokes Field Guide to the Birds, Eastern Region
Roger Tory Peterson: Peterson Field Guides, Eastern Birds
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds

Binoculars
Binoculars are very important for identifying birds. Without them, it is difficult to see far away or flying birds. If you're unsure about investing a lot of money into a new hobby, there are less expensive varieties. Prices can range from $30-$1000, and the expensive binoculars aren't always the best. Camera stores and sporting goods stores are good places to look.

When choosing a pair of binoculars, consider the following:

Magnification: A larger magnification makes objects easier to see, but with that comes a narrower field of view. Acceptable magnification values for bird watching binoculars are 7, 8, or 10.
Exit Pupil: The exit pupil is the ratio of the magnification value to the size of lens in mm. For example, if binoculars with a 40 mm lens have an magnification of eight, the exit pupil would be five. This is very important. A larger exit pupil gives a brighter image and so is better in low light. However, it shouldn't be larger than needed because it makes the binoculars heavy and more expensive. Good values for the exit pupil are five or a bit more,although four is the minimum you would want.
Near-focus Distance: A low distance value is worth paying extra money for. This can be helpful for catching details of birds you can't see well. A good near-focus distance would be 10 feet or less, but 15 feet is okay too.
Near-focus Distance: A low distance value is worth paying extra money for. This can be helpful for catching details of birds you can't see well. A good near-focus distance would be 10 feet or less, but 15 feet is okay too.

Another issue to think about is the weight of the binoculars. You don't want them to be too heavy for you to hike with. They should also be comfortable when hanging around your neck by the strap.

Field Notebook
It can help to keep a log and write down some notes about what you see. These notes can be compared to field guides later to identify the birds. You can also use your notes as a reference if you think you seethe same bird again. Although not all birders use a field notebook, it's a good idea if you are a beginner.

When you take notes in your field notebook, remember to include the date, time, and location of the sighting. You might also add the weather conditions and the birds' behavior. If you have trouble identifying a particular bird, ask yourself some helpful questions:

What size is it? (sparrow-sized, robin-sized, crow-sized, goose-sized)
Is it thin or plump?
Does it stand vertically like a woodpecker, or horizontally like a pigeon?
What is its main color?
Does it have other colors?
Are there any marks on it? Spots? Bars or patches? Where are they?
What is it doing? Running? Hopping? Soaring?
Can you hear its song? Is there a pattern?
Where is it? Woodland? By water? In a field?
What time of year is it?