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Abert’s Towhee Acadian Flycatcher Acorn Woodpecker Alder Flycatcher Allen’s Hummingbird Altamira Oriole American Avocet American Bittern American Black Duck American Coot American Crow American Dipper American Golden-Plover American Goldfinch American Kestrel American Oystercatcher American Pipit American Redstart American Robin American Three-toed Woodpecker American Tree Sparrows American White Pelican American Wigeon American Woodcock Anhinga Anna’s Hummingbird Arctic Tern Arizona Woodpecker Ash-Throated Flycatcher Atlantic Puffin Audubon’s Oriole Bachman’s Sparrow Baird’s Sandpiper Baird’s Sparrow Bald Eagle Baltimore Oriole Band-tailed Pigeon Bank Swallow Barn Owl Barn Swallow Barred Owl Barrow’s Goldeneye Bay-breasted Warbler Bell’s Vireo Belted Kingfisher Bendire’s Thrasher Bewick’s Wren Black Guillemot Black Oystercatcher Black Phoebe Black Rail Black Rosy-Finch Black Scoter Black Skimmer Black Swift Black Tern Black Turnstone Black Vulture Black-and-white Warbler Black-backed 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Brown-headed Nuthatch Buff-bellied Hummingbird Buff-breasted Flycatcher Buff-breasted Sandpiper Bufflehead Bullock’s Oriole Burrowing Owl Bushtit Cackling Goose Cactus Wren California Condor California Gull California Quail California Thrasher California Towhee Calliope Hummingbird Canada Goose Canada Jay (Previously Gray Jay) Canada Warbler Canvasback Canyon Towhee Canyon Wren Cape May Warbler Carolina Chickadee Carolina Wren Caspian Tern Cassin’s Auklet Cassin’s Finch Cassin’s Kingbird Cassin’s Sparrow Cassin’s Vireo Cattle Egret Cave Swallow Cedar Waxwing Cerulean Warbler Chestnut-backed Chickadee Chestnut-collared Longspur Chestnut-sided Warbler Chihuahuan Raven Chimney Swift Chipping Sparrow Chuck-will’s-widow Chukar Cinnamon Teal Clapper Rail Clark’s Grebe Clark’s Nutcracker Clay-colored Sparrow Cliff Swallow Colima Warbler Common Eider Common Gallinule Common Goldeneye Common Grackle Common Ground-Dove Common Loon Common Merganser Common Murre Common Nighthawk Common Pauraque Common Poorwill Common Raven Common Redpoll Common Tern Common Yellowthroat Connecticut Warbler Cooper’s Hawk Cordilleran Flycatcher Costa’s Hummingbird Couch’s Kingbird Crescent-chested Warbler Crested Caracara Crissal Thrasher Curve-billed Thrasher Dark-eyed Junco Dickcissel Double-crested Cormorant Dovekie Downy Woodpecker Dunlin Dusky Flycatcher Dusky Grouse Eared Grebe Eastern Bluebird Eastern Kingbird Eastern Meadowlark Eastern Phoebe Eastern Screech-Owl Eastern Towhee Eastern Whip-poor-will Eastern Wood-Pewee Elegant Tern Elf Owl Emperor Goose Eurasian Collared-Dove Eurasian Tree Sparrow Eurasian Wigeon European Starling Evening Grosbeak Ferruginous Hawk Field Sparrow Fish Crow Flammulated Owl Florida Scrub-Jay Forster’s Tern Fox Sparrow Franklin’s Gull Fulvous Whistling-Duck Gadwall Gambel’s Quail Gila Woodpecker Gilded Flicker Glaucous Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Glossy Ibis Golden Eagle Golden-cheeked Warbler Golden-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Warbler 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Ivory-billed Woodpecker Juniper Titmouse Kentucky Warbler Killdeer King Eider King Rail Kirtland’s Warbler Ladder-backed Woodpecker Lapland Longspur Lark Bunting Lark Sparrow Laughing Gull Lawrence’s Goldfinch Lazuli Bunting Le Conte’s Sparrow Le Conte’s Thrasher Least Bittern Least Flycatcher Least Grebe Least Sandpiper Least Tern Lesser Black-backed Gull Lesser Goldfinch Lesser Prairie-Chicken Lesser Scaup Lesser Yellowlegs Lewis’s Woodpecker Limpkin Lincoln’s Sparrow Little Blue Heron Loggerhead Shrike Long-billed Curlew Long-billed Dowitcher Long-eared Owl Long-tailed Duck Louisiana Waterthrush Lucifer Hummingbird Lucy’s Warbler MacGillivray’s Warbler Magnificent Frigatebird Magnificent Hummingbird Magnolia Warbler Mallard Mangrove Cuckoo Marbled Godwit Marsh Wren Masked Duck McCown’s Longspur Merlin Mew Gull Mexican Jay Mississippi Kite Montezuma Quail Mottled Duck Mountain Bluebird Mountain Chickadee Mountain Plover Mountain Quail Mourning Dove Mourning Warbler Mute Swan Nashville Warbler Neotropic Cormorant Northern Bobwhite Northern Cardinal Northern Flicker Northern Fulmar Northern Gannet Northern Goshawk Northern Harrier Northern Hawk Owl Northern Mockingbird Northern Parula Northern Pintail Northern Rough-winged Swallow Northern Saw-whet Owl Northern Shoveler Northern Shrike Northern Waterthrush Northwestern Crow Nuttall’s Woodpecker Oak Titmouse Olive-sided Flycatcher Orange-crowned Warbler Orchard Oriole Osprey Ovenbird Pacific Golden-Plover Pacific Loon Pacific-slope Flycatcher Painted Bunting Painted Redstart Palm Warbler Pectoral Sandpiper Pelagic Cormorant Peregrine Falcon Phainopepla Philadelphia Vireo Pied-billed Grebe Pigeon Guillemot Pileated Woodpecker Pine Grosbeak Pine Siskin Pine Warbler Pinyon Jay Piping Plover Plain Chachalaca Plumbeous Vireo Prairie Falcon Prairie Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Purple Finch Purple Gallinule Purple Martin Purple Sandpiper Pygmy Nuthatch Pyrrhuloxia Razorbill Red Crossbill Red Knot Red Phalarope Red-bellied Woodpecker Red-breasted Merganser Red-breasted Nuthatch Red-breasted Sapsucker Red-cockaded Woodpecker Red-eyed Vireo Red-faced Warbler Red-headed Woodpecker Red-naped Sapsucker Red-necked Grebe Red-necked Phalarope Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Red-throated Loon Red-winged Blackbird Reddish Egret Redhead Ring-billed Gull Ring-necked Duck Ring-necked Pheasant Rock Pigeon Rock Ptarmigan Rock Sandpiper Rose-breasted Grosbeak Roseate Spoonbill Roseate Tern Ross’s Goose Rough-legged Hawk Royal Tern Ruby-crowned Kinglet Ruby-throated Hummingbird Ruddy Duck Ruddy Turnstone Ruffed Grouse Rufous Hummingbird Rufous-capped Warbler Rufous-winged Sparrow Rusty Blackbird Sabine’s Gull Sage Sparrow Sage Thrasher Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow Sanderling Sandhill Crane Sandwich Tern Savannah Sparrow Say’s Phoebe Scaled Quail Scarlet Tanager Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Scott’s Oriole Seaside Sparrow Sedge Wren Semipalmated Plover Semipalmated Sandpiper Sharp-shinned Hawk Sharp-tailed Grouse Short-billed Dowitcher Short-eared Owl Slate-throated Redstart Smith’s Longspur Smooth-billed Ani Snail Kite Snow Bunting Snow Goose Snowy Egret Snowy Plover Solitary Sandpiper Song Sparrow Sooty Grouse Sora Spotted Owl Spotted Sandpiper Spotted Towhee Sprague’s Pipit Spruce Grouse Steller’s Jay Stilt Sandpiper Summer Tanager Surf Scoter Surfbird Swainson’s Hawk Swainson’s Thrush Swainson’s Warbler Swallow-tailed Kite Swamp Sparrow Tennessee Warbler Thick-billed Murre Townsend’s Solitaire Townsend’s Warbler Tree Swallow Tricolored Heron Tropical Kingbird Trumpeter Swan Tufted Puffin Tufted Titmouse Tundra Swan Turkey Vulture Upland Sandpiper Varied Bunting Varied Thrush Vaux’s Swift Veery Verdin Vermilion Flycatcher Vesper Sparrow Violet-green Swallow Virginia Rail Virginia’s Warbler Warbling Vireo Western Bluebird Western Grebe Western Gull Western Kingbird Western Sandpiper Western Screech-Owl Western Tanager Western Wood-Pewee Western-Meadowlark Whimbrel White Ibis White-breasted Nuthatch White-crowned Pigeon White-crowned Sparrow White-eyed Vireo White-faced Ibis White-headed Woodpecker White-rumped Sandpiper White-tailed Hawk White-tailed Kite White-tailed Ptarmigan White-throated Sparrow White-throated Swift White-tipped Dove White-winged Crossbill White-winged Dove White-winged Scoter Whooping Crane Wild Turkey Willet Williamson’s Sapsucker Willow Flycatcher Willow Ptarmigan Wilson’s Phalarope Wilson’s Plover Wilson’s Snipe Wilson’s Warbler Winter Wren Wood Duck Wood Stork Wood Thrush Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay Worm-eating Warbler Wrentit Yellow Rail Yellow Warbler Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Yellow-billed Cuckoo Yellow-billed Magpie Yellow-breasted Chat Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-headed Blackbird Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-throated Vireo Yellow-throated Warbler Zone-tailed Hawk

Best Birding Binoculars

Choosing binoculars for bird watching

A good pair of binoculars is your most important tool in identifying a variety of birds. If you have never used good binoculars for this purpose, you will be amazed at the detail and color you will see. You will be exposed to a whole new world of fascinating observation.

Binoculars for bird watching

There are several characteristics shared by all binoculars for bird watching. Your old pair of opera glasses does not have any of them.

We elicited the assistance of Sharon Stitler (aka the Bird Chick) for information on the selection of birding binoculars.

Look for these features in birding binoculars

For ready reference, here are some of the items covered by Sharon for the selection of bird watching binoculars.

1. Magnification
Most binoculars will have a series of numbers printed on the body of the binocular, usually just below the eye piece. You will see a number like 7 X 35 or 8 x 42 or 10 x 50.

The first number, the 7, 8, or 10, is the “power” or magnification of the binocular. Objects seen through a 7x binocular will appear 7 times closer than they really are. Objects seen through a 10x binocular will appear 10 times closer than they really are.

Beginning birders sometimes think that high powered binoculars (such as 12x or more) sound better, but most bird watchers prefer a 7x or 8x binocular. Lower powers do not provide enough magnification, and higher powers have a narrower field of view (making it harder to locate a bird using the binoculars) and can be difficult to hold steady.  Improved optics from top manufacturers of birding binoculars have made a 6x magnification an acceptable option.  In general, the lower the magnification the smaller and lighter weight the binocular will be.


2. Exit pupil – Light gathering capability

The second number is the diameter of the objective lens, which is the lens on the big end of the binocular. This measurement is given millimeters. Thus a 7 x 35 binocular has a magnification of 7 times, and an objective lens with a 35 mm diameter.

The diameter of the objective lens has an effect on the “light gathering” or image brightness of the binoculars. In general, the larger the diameter, the brighter the image will be. More specifically, the diameter of the objective lens divided by the magnification provides a good indication of the potential light gathering capability of the binocular. The higher the number the better, in terms of a bright image.
Using this formula for a 7 x 35 binocular means dividing 35 by 7, yielding a ratio of 5.0, which is considered good. Avoid binoculars that have a ratio much below 5, such as a 7 x 30 or 7 x 25. Good birding binoculars generally have a ratio of 5 or higher.  Some high-end binoculars are fine with a 4.o ratio.  I used a pair of Leica 10×40 binoculars for years and they are still my all time favorites.


3. Field of view

Another number that is usually printed on the body of the binocular is the field of view. A large field of view makes it easier to locate a particular bird. You will usually see the field of view measured either in terms of viewing angle (6 degrees, for example), or the number of feet (such as 400) at 1000 yards.  The best birding binoculars will have a field of view greater than 6 degrees or greater than 300 feet at 1000 yards.


4. Close focal distance

Another key factor in selecting the right pair of birding binoculars is the shortest distance at which the binoculars can focus. Some of the less expensive binoculars available in the department and discount stores will only focus down to about 30 feet. There will be many occasions when you will want to be able to focus to a much closer distance than this. Some binoculars designed for bird watchers can focus to as close as 5-6 feet. These are also excellent for watching dragonflies and butterflies, something many birders eventually become interested in.

The close focus distance is not usually marked on the binoculars. You’ll have to test them yourself, ask the person from whom you are purchasing the binoculars, or consult the detailed product specifications.

5. Eyeglasses relief
The eye relief measurement determines how far your eye can be from the eyepiece while still allowing a full field of view through the binocular. This is important to eyeglass wearers. Look for a high eye relief design if you plan to wear glasses while using your binoculars. Eye relief of 15 mm or greater is recommended to provide you with the widest possible field of view.

 

Read 6 Steps Of Choosing Binoculars

 

Adjustment and Alignment of your Birding Binoculars

Before you start to use a new pair of bird watching binoculars you should check them for alignment and adjust the focus for your eyes.

Focus adjustment

All quality binoculars for bird watching provide independent focus adjustment of each eyepiece. The actual procedure varies from one pair or manufacturer to the next. In general the process is something like this:

The center focus knob is used to focus in on specific, distant object. It is the prime focus for the binoculars and one of the eyepieces.

The other eyepiece will have a further adjustment to compensate for focus differences between your eyes. Check the user manual for your binoculars to determine which eyepiece has the additional adjustment and where it is located. The adjustment is often right on the eyepiece but can be located above or below the central focus knob.

To set the focus adjustment:

1. Select a distance object on which to focus

2. Focus on the object using the center focus knob.

3. Close the eye that is viewing through the eyepiece with the fine adjustment and refocus on the object as needed.

4. Close the other eye and look through the eyepiece with the fine adjustment. Make any focus adjustments needed with the fine adjustment for that eyepiece.

That’s it! Your binoculars are now calibrated. Some binoculars have a scale on the eyepiece with the fine adjustment. This can be used as a quick reference for checking the focus. Especially useful when sharing binoculars for bird watching.

warblers

Alignment of birding binoculars

Binoculars that are not properly aligned can make focusing difficult and result in a headache after long use. You should check the binoculars for alignment before purchase, if possible, or immediately after receiving them. You can check the alignment with the following steps.

1. Adjust the binocular focus using the steps above.

2. Focus on a distant , horizontal straight line. The top of a home or building works fine.

3. Holding the binoculars as steady as possible (use a tripod if possible), position the binoculars about 8 in. in front of your eyes.

4. Alternately look through each barrel by closing one eye at a time.

The height of the straight line (rooftop or building) should appear at the same position when looking through both barrels of the binocular. If the lines are at different levels, the binoculars are out of alignment.

It can take a little practice to make this technique work, so give it a couple of chances before reaching a conclusion.

Repairing a pair of binoculars that is out of alignment is a bit tricky. If such a situation exists, the binoculars should be returned to the manufacture for repair.

 

Proper care and cleaning of your binoculars will help insure the best image and longest life. Here are a few items to consider.

 

Maintain the lenses of your birding binoculars

Clean the lenses with a lens cloth or lens paper. Cleaning fluid especially designed for precision optics is inexpensive and readily available. Avoid cleaning the lenses with a paper towel or shirttail. While they may appear soft, their use will hasten the removal of critical lens coatings.

Dirt and grime

Dirt and grime can be removed from the binocular body using a damp cloth.

warblers

Moisture

In general, avoid getting your binoculars too wet. Excess moisture can fog internal lens surfaces. If they do become wet, dry as much as possible with a soft rag and place in a warm, dry location. Quality bird watching binoculars are sealed and filled with nitrogen or other inert gas.  If moisture shows up on the inside of a binocular with a sealed design it should be returned to the manufaturer for repair before further damage can occur.

 

Sand

If sand infiltrates the moving parts of your binocular it can be a very big problem. Use care when birding on the beach. If your binoculars are dropped into the sand, brush them off completely and slowly adjust the focus. If the focus is rough, there may be sand inside the adjustment mechanism. At this point, the best option is to send the binoculars to a repair facility for cleaning. Continued use may lead to irreparable damage.

 

Selecting a Pair of Birding Binoculars

When it comes down to making that final decision, try to visit a store where you can try out several models. The final decision often boils down to personal preference.

When making a selection, consider the following features.

  • Cost – Purchase the best quality you can afford. No need to go above $300 – $400 unless you are purchasing for an expert birder or just want the prestige of owning the very best.
  • Seize and weight – Binoculars with a higher magnification are generally heavier and larger. Pick a pair you can manage over several hours of birding.
  • Balance – the binoculars should be balanced and feel comfortable in your hand.
  • Magnification – we suggest 7×35, 7×42, 8×40 or 8×42, (10x 40 is OK for the more experienced birder).
  • Field of View – Minimum 6 degrees or 300 feet at 1000 yards.
  • Close Focal Distance – 20 feet or less (10 feet or shorter preferred).
  • Eyeglass compatibility – Rubber or roll-up eyecups, with 15 mm minimum eye relief. If you wear glasses, this can be one of the most important considerations. Make sure the pair you select easily accommodate the glasses you are wearing. This is one area in which more expensive binoculars excel.

Clay Taylor, with Swarovski Optics, was kind enough to share some additional thoughts on the selection of bird watching binoculars.

 

Design Quality of Birding Binoculars

Binoculars can range in price from under $100 to $2000 or more. So what’s the difference? Some of the important considerations include:

  • Sharpness of image
  • Light gathering ability and image brightness
  • Shock resistance
  • Water, dust and moisture resistance
  • Size and weight
  • Long life

The image quality of $300 binoculars has improved to the point that it is hard to see much improvement in a $1500 pair of binoculars. Improvements in the glass used in the manufacture of the lenses and (especially) lens coatings has filtered down to the lower cost optics. Unless the user is moving into the semi-pro range, spending more than $300 or so is not necessary for most people.

 

Why spend more for bird watching binoculars?

Very expensive bird watching binoculars do have their advantages.

  • Better image quality.
  • Better light gathering ability, useful in low light conditions and birding in the tropics.
  • The design, materials and manufacturing quality produce a very rugged binocular.

The last item may be the most important. No one wants to travel hundreds or thousands of miles on a birding trip, only to have the binoculars knocked out of alignment while chasing the trip bird. More expensive birding binoculars can really take a beating with little damage to their performance.

 

Body Design

binoculars

There are two standard designs utilized in binoculars. The porro prism design (left) has an offset barrel. The roof prism design has a straight barrel.

The roof prism design has historically been lighter in weight, slightly smaller and more expensive. High quality binoculars are available in either style.

 

 

About the Author

Sam Crowe

Sam is the founder of Birdzilla.com. He has been birding for over 30 years and has a world list of over 2000 species. He has served as treasurer of the Texas Ornithological Society, Sanctuary Chair of Dallas Audubon, Editor of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" web site and as a contributing editor for Birding Business magazine. Many of his photographs and videos can be found on the site.

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