Binoculars Aid Birdwatching

Binoculars are a great way to watch up close the birds that you are trying to attract to your backyard. If you wish to start identifying those birds or want to expand your bird watching activity beyond your backyard you are going to need a decent pair of binoculars and a field guide. They can give you a window into bird life, letting you get a close-up look at individual behavior that you would otherwise miss.

When first starting out there might be some confusion as to what makes a good pair of binoculars and what do all those numbers mean?

Audubon Raptor 8x42

The most common designations seen are 7x35, 7x42, 8x42, etc. which is pronounced as “7 by 35” and so on. The first number tells you how many times the image is magnified. (The 7x magnifies a distant bird 7 times making it appear 7 times closer).

Too high a magnification power has limitations. It will magnify the slightest movement of the hands that are holding them. Binoculars with 7 or 8 magnification power will give you a clear large picture, but 9 or 10 power are a little heavier and work best only if you have a steady grip or can brace your elbows on a flat surface. Higher than 10x magnification can be bought, but they tend to be heavy and will be very difficult to hold still. They are best used only when attached to a tripod.

The second number indicates the size of the objective lens (the larger end, not the one you look through). The larger this number, the larger the objective lens and the wider the field of view. This means more light enters the binocular. More light means a clearer, brighter image. The wider the field of view, the more you will be able to see. The most common sizes are 35, 40 and 50. Again, the larger the number the heavier the binoculars.

Some of the factors in choosing binoculars are cost, power (or magnification), and comfort.

For cost consider that if you decide to buy the cheap pair you may find at a later date that you wished you’d made the additional investment for a better pair. A slightly higher price pair could give you a better brand name with better quality and a warranty. They also might have additional features that are not on the cheaper pair.

For power most bird watchers use 7x35 or 8x42 binoculars, which offer plenty of magnification, a decent field of view, as well as adequate light for identifying birds.

For comfort you need to think about how they feel in your hands when you’re using them. Can you easily reach the focusing wheel when holding them? Are they too heavy to hold or hang around your neck if you plan to go out for a long bird walk? Each person is different in the size of their hands, steadiness in holding the binoculars, strength, etc. So pick a pair that you are comfortable with, not one that your friend or partner is comfortable with.

Some special features to look for might be binoculars that are covered with a protective rubberized shield to prevent them from getting jarred by knocks and falls. Coated lenses to reduce glare is very helpful in watching birds in places with bright light, such as on or near water. A padded strap relieves the tension on your neck from carrying around binoculars for long periods of time. To compare differences, visit our On-Line Nature Mall which has a very good selection of binoculars to choose from.

Using binoculars is easy, but you need some practice in finding a bird through them and focusing on it before it flies away. Start by using them on any bird that crosses your path. Then practice tracking it, soon they will feel like a part of you. Then you’ll be able to start noticing smaller features such as the shape of the bill and differences in color markings which will help in the bird’s identification.