Nature pulls at our heartstrings when we least expect it. Seeing a holiday ornament of a treasured place we visited, a scarf that has a favorite bird on it, a squeezable plush that reminds us of birds we’ve seen out and about … you get the drift. We make it easy here for those of you who hate to shop. Why waste time driving to a mall to hunt for a gift when you can be outside enjoying the sweet sights and sounds of nature?
If you see something that appeals below, fly away (like a bird) to order. Full reveal here: down the road we will be applying to participate in the Amazon Affiliates program, which means if we are approved then we will earn advertising monies by linking to Amazon.com. We haven’t done that yet!
Birding Gear
The best thing a birder can do is start off right – so gift yourself with gear that handles well out in the field. If you want to see a tiny bird fluttering around up in the canopy, binoculars are a must, and a harness for them is useful. A spotting scope zooms in even more. You’ll need a tripod for your scope, perhaps a collapsible chair to perch on, a hardy waterproof vest to put your notebook in, a waterproof hat to protect your noggin from the sun. And don’t forget to bring a good camera with a telephoto lens, but even your camera phone works in a pinch!
Binoculars: Swarovski LC 8×42 
Binoculars: Swarovski EL 10×42 
Binoculars: Celestron Nature DX 8×42 
Binoculars: Celestron Outland X 8×42 
Zeiss Conquest HD 8×42 
Binoculars: Nikon Monarch ATB 8×42 
Binoculars: Zeiss Terra ED 8×42 
Scope: Swarovski STX 85 
Scope: Kowa TSN-883 
Scope: Celestron Regal M2 
Binocular Harness: Vortex Optics 
Binocular Harness: Leupold Quick Release
Field Guides
A good field guide is more valuable than gold. Some of the collapsible ones you can stuff into a pocket, while others you can keep in the car and pore over when you are off the trail. A lot of the state parks have informal lists that you can grab or purchase as well, plus it supports the cause. Here are some of our favorite field guides.
Sibley BIrds West 
Sibley Birds East 
Sibley Field Guide to Birds, 2nd Ed. 
Peterson Field Guide to BIrds 
Sibley’s Backyard Birds of the Pacific Northwest 
Stokes Field Guide to Birds of NA 
Kenn Kaufman, Field Guide to Advanced Birding 
Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America. 
Bill Thompson, The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America. 
What’s That Bird? A Beginner’s Guide 
Miklos Udvardy and John Farrand, National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, Western Region 
Jack Griggs, All the Birds of North America: American Bird Conservancy’s Field Guide.
Miscellaneous Bird Gifts
There are sooo many bird items out there just waiting to be discovered and purchased. Some can be worn, some played with, some looked at (like the clock, and it chirps!). Wrap some of these up and give to your loved ones!
Bird Bingo 
Bird Clock 
Bird Kite 
Bird Trivia Game 
Bird Flash Cards 
Bird Memory Game 
Field Notebook 
Bird Scarf 
Lego Model Kit 
Bird Hat 
Bird Socks 
Bird Mug
Don’t Forget the Kids!
Audubon collaborated with the Wild Republic to create a line of bird plushes that are as adorable as they are educational. When you squeeze the plush, its authentic bird call happens. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology provided the sounds – and trust us, it drives our sheepdog nuts when she hears the plushies tweet and quack. Another line of plushes popular with kids are aptly named Squishables, and they are very sweet and huggable! We know a few adults who are hooked on collecting plushies too!
Black Capped Chickadee Northern Cardinal Robin Blue Jay Red-Winged Blackbird Pileated Woodpecker Northern Mockingbird 
Great Horned Owl Dark-Eyed Junco Snowy Owl Canada Goose California Quail 
Eastern Bluebird American Goldfinch Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Turkey Western Tanager House Finch Painted Bunting Northern Flicker Atlantic Puffin Common Loon Steller’s Jay Baby Chick Bald Eagle 
Blue Grosbeak Mallard Duck Barn Swallow Baltimore Oriole Downy Woodpecker 
Red-Tailed Hawk Western Meadowlark Peregrine Falcon Osprey Cockatoo Purple Martin Kookaburra Scarlet Macaw Egret Squishable Barn Owl Squishable Budgie Squishable Snowy Owl
