Birdwatching from a window. Photo: Laker, Pexels
Gifts for bird lovers
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The gift most bird lovers remember is a smart feeder camera: they see every visitor on their phone. Under $50, pick a field guide, a squirrel baffle or a heated bird bath. Every idea here links to Amazon so you can compare prices fast.
Big gifts ($150 and up)
Smart bird feeder camera
The wow gift
- Phone alerts and clips of every visit
- Most identify the species
- See our Bird Buddy vs Birdfy comparison
Hummingbird feeder camera
For hummingbird fans
- Close-focus 2K camera
- Slow motion on some models
- Guide: smart hummingbird feeders
Nest box camera
Watch eggs hatch in spring
- Install in late winter
- Night vision for the nest
- Guide: birdhouse cameras
Mid-range ($50 to $150)
8x42 binoculars
The birder's everyday tool
- 8x magnification is steady in the hand
- 42 mm lenses work in low light
- Waterproof and fog-proof
Heated bird bath
Water when everything is frozen
- Draws birds that never visit seed feeders
- Thermostat switches it on below freezing
Pole system with baffle
Squirrel-proof setup
- Gets the feeder 5 feet up
- Baffle stops climbing squirrels
- Guide: bird feeder poles
Small gifts (under $50)
The Sibley Guide to Birds
The classic field guide
- Illustrations of every plumage
- Eastern and Western editions available
Window feeder
Birds up close from the kitchen
- Suction cups, no tools
- Great for apartments
Bird seed variety pack
Treats for the birds
- Black-oil sunflower draws the most species
- Nyjer for finches, suet for winter
Free ideas
- Merlin Bird ID: Cornell Lab's free app identifies birds by photo and song. Set it up on their phone.
- A Project FeederWatch season: help them sign up and count winter feeder birds for science.
- A morning out: many local Audubon chapters run free bird walks.
How to choose
Ask what they already have. A new birder gets the most from binoculars and a field guide. Someone with feeders loves a camera. Someone who already has a camera often wants a second angle: a nest box camera or a hummingbird camera.