Best Gifts for Birders & Birdwatchers

Are you looking for a great gift for a birdwatcher or birder? Then you’ve come to the right place! As avid birdwatchers who sometimes drift into the world of birders, I have some suggestions that should be spot on.

Though you may be wondering why I differentiate between the two. I think it could make a difference in the gift you decide to buy. Let me explain.

What is a Birdwatcher?

A birdwatcher is someone who loves to watch birds. They are happy watching birds from their living room window, while strolling in Central Park, hiking in the mountains, beach combing along a sandy shore, or admiring the visitors at multiple feeders at an ecolodge. Some birdwatchers prefer colorful birds or are partial to a particular family of birds, like hummers. Overall, they just enjoy birds period.

What is a Birder?

A birder, on the other hand, is slightly more serious in their approach to birdwatching.

A birder often has a particular species in mind. For example, «I want to see a Long-Wattled Umbrella Bird.» Or they want to see a particular event, like the mating dance of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.

A very dedicated birder might also try to see every species of bird possible in an area. They are often atune to bird calls and to bird behavior as those are clues to seeing the birds in the field.

What Do Birdwatchers and Birders Have in Common?

Often, the thing that birdwatchers and birders have in common is a love of birds. They donate to conservation causes that protect birds and their habitat. They belong to organizations like the Audubon Society or the American Bird Conservancy.

And when both birdwatchers and birders see a species they have never seen before, it’s called seeing a lifer. Many keep track of their lifers on their eBird account or by making a notation in their favorite birding book(s).

The latter is like my Dad. He creates acronym for each date and location he visits on a list in the back of his bird book. Then he places that acronym next to the birds he spotted on that trip. He doesn’t use this only for lifers but it does help create a list of all the birds he has seen during his life.

Many of Us Are On the Scale in Between

Sometimes, a person will be a blend of both birdwatcher and birder. That’s me. I don’t keep a great life list but I do attempt to keep track of the species I have seen. I don’t try to see every species possible at a location. I prefer to focus on birds that are easier to photograph than those hidden in the brush.

But I do get excited to see certain species. On my last trip to Ecuador, I was thrilled to see the Black-breasted Puffleg at Zuroloma and the White-tipped Sicklebill at Mashpi-Amagusa. Those are birds I have been trying to see for a long time!

Why Does This Matter?

All this is to say that you need to know where your birder-birdwatcher stands on the continuum. Do they already own a pair of Swarovski binoculars? Then thats a sign they are a birder and have some serious goals in mind. Consider gifts to help make them more comfortable out in the field because they are likely to spend hours in all kinds of weather conditions.

What follows are a list of items that Scott and I are using or really wish we had based on recommendations of friends. We hope that you find a great gift for the birder, birdwatcher in your life!