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In Pursuit of Your Next Lifer: An Exhaustive Checklist for Bird Nerds 🐦📷

25 items

Hui Sim

Here are some things to consider before you head out to twitch – whether on land or water. In addition to the recs below, these five cardinal 🐦 rules of birding should also be observed to optimize your experience: (1) keep quiet; (2) avoid quick, su...

Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at no charge to you) if you make a purchase using these links.

Sections

Attire & Supplies

Gear

Attire & Supplies

Clothes, food, water, and emergency kits.

Especially on a sunny day, a good pair of sunglasses is a must.

Active & Casual Sunglasses

For birding during the spring migratory season (particularly up north … wayyyy up in Alaska), you won't be able to swat mosquitoes while you bird. Nor do you want to be looking like a giant version of Rudolph's nose by the end of your birding expedit...

Bug Sprays

Your subject should stand out – not you. From head to toe, make your hats, clothes, and shoes muted/nondescript. Don't wear bright colors like red or yellow (or even white), unless you want to experience that phenomenon known as "the one that got awa...

Camouflage Attire

An essential to have in the car and/or on the boat! You can't always count on a hospital to be in the area.

First Aid Kits

Obviously checking the weather before going is a must, but a lifejacket is indispensable (when one is birding from a boat).

Life Jackets & Vests

It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the birds of your area. Prioritize distinguishing field marks (note: sandpipers and gulls are my nemeses) and birdsongs. Note that birds will wear different plumages depending on the season (spring vs fal...

Smithsonian Birdwatching Guide (DK North American Bird Guides)

Sneak in a bite, because you don't know how long it will be before the main attraction shows up!

Snack Bars

Long hours spent in the summer sun aren't great on exposed skin.

Sunblock

Whether it's hot or cold outside, it's important to stay hydrated. I prefer metal bottles (with cool or warm water) over plastic.

Water/Hydration Bottles

Gear

The cameras, memory cards, batteries, chargers, lenses, tripods, binoculars, or spotting scopes you may want to think about for your next birding expedition.

From Athlon to Zeiss, there's a pair of distance magnifiers to help you track and cross off the next lifer on your list!

Binoculars / Monoculars

The Canon EOS 6D and its successors are my favorite digital cameras (yes, I'm old school – I still prefer full-frame DSLRs 😉). Nice weight, good grip, logical placement of buttons, and sturdy construction (and shoots well, too). I am the rebel holdo...

Cameras (Canon DSLR)

If Nikon is more your cup of tea, there are many DSLR and mirrorless digital camera models to pique your interest.

Cameras (Nikon DSLR, Mirrorless)

If neither Canon nor Nikon do the trick for you, perhaps the final member of the big three in digital camera makers might be worthy of your consideration. Sony has made a name for itself with its top-of-the-line Alpha mirrorless cameras.

Cameras (Sony Mirrorless)

Sony also offers an extensive range of battery chargers, flashguns, wireless remotes, carry cases, and tripods.

Camera Accessories (Sony)

Canon brand batteries are best used with Canon brand battery chargers. Fast-charging battery chargers are convenient.

Camera Battery Chargers (Canon)

Similarly, Nikon brand batteries pair best with Nikon branded battery chargers. Fast chargers are convenient, but get the regular (slow) chargers, too – fast charged batteries deplete faster.

Camera Battery Chargers & Packs (Nikon)

Always have extra batteries on the ready! Canon cameras need Canon brand batteries. I say this from both firsthand and secondhand impressions. The OEMs just don't hold the same charge (that goes for Nikons, too).

Camera Battery Packs & Battery Grips (Canon)

You can't go wrong with Lowepros. Take it from me when I say that they last for years (not even a torn stitch), and come in all sizes (even for those of us who like to lug around their long lenses 😉).

Camera Bags & Backpacks (Lowepro)

Initially, I was looking for a SwissGear backpack to haul around my telephoto lens-outfitted camera in – but after learning that SwissGear was out of stock, I discovered NatGeo backpacks as the replacement. Mine is amazing, and has been built to last...

Camera Bags & Backpacks (NatGeo)

Tripods have come a long way – and other stands have joined the mix, including selfie sticks, monopods, 2-in-1 monopod/tripods, vlog kits, and tripods with wraparound (poseable) legs.

Camera Supports

Always have extra memory cards on the ready for extended or burst mode shooting sessions! With today's higher-resolution cameras, it doesn't take much time to fill up even a 64GB or 128GB card – and you can't count on your subject(s) to wait for you.

Memory Cards (Lexar/Sandisk)

Pelican waterproof (and yes, they are) cases are a necessity for camera accessories as well as smaller cameras and smartphones). I can vouch for the necessity of having a Pelican case (and more importantly, one that fits your equipment!) 😉

Pelican Waterproof Micro Cases

Spotting scopes are a necessity for birds that are often far in the distance (notably, shorebirds and seaducks). Make sure your scope is compatible with your camera, if you want to take photos.

Spotting Scopes

Sigma telephoto lenses are quite portable (not that heavy – less than 7 lbs) and my 150-500mm lens has been indispensable for photographing wildlife (it also gets me PLENTY of second glances. I've also been told that it has given some people whiplash...

Telephoto (Long) Lenses (Sigma)

The other maker to consider for long lens shooting is Tamron. Prices and feature sets are comparable with Sigma – but the warranty coverage may not be as long.

Telephoto (Long) Lenses (Tamron)