Gift Ideas for Backyard Bird Watchers ● 19 Presents for the Birder in

Buying gifts for backyard bird watchers is a fun experience. If you’re looking for a unique bird-themed gift, you’re in the right place. 

Our ideas fit all budgets and types of gifts, from useful to fun, for birdwatching or home decor. They also fit a range of ages, and anyone who is just getting started birdwatching to seasoned birders.

Gifts for Birdwatching 

If you want a gift to give your friend an even better birdwatching experience, these are the gifts for you! 

Monocular to see and take close up bird photos… with a phone! 

This handy monocular is the perfect gift for backyard bird watchers who want to get a closer look at their feathered friends! 

And it includes a mount so you can attach it to a smartphone to take zoomed in photos. 

Why we like it: 

• Small, portable size means it’s easy to take on hikes
• Easy to use
• Comes with a handy carrying case 
• Compatible with any phone

Foldout Field Guide

This roadmap- sized field guide will fit in a bird watcher’s pocket and is perfect for walks or hikes.

Why we like it:

• Simple and straightforward 
• Great for beginners
• Waterproof 
• Compact yet informative

If your friend is a serious birdwatcher, check out our favorite hawk identification books!

Bird Song Learning Tool

This portable bird song will fit in a pocket so you can learn while you’re out and about! It teaches bird watchers about common birds they’ll see in their backyard. 

Why we like it:

• Pocket sized
• Includes verbal descriptions of bird songs
• Unique gift
• Additional bird song identification cards available 

Backyard Birding Flashcards 

This set makes learning to identify birds fun! Each card features information straight out of Sibley’s famous bird guides. 

What we love about it:

• Separated into Eastern birds, Western birds, and birds found across North America 
• Excellent learning tool
• Attractive storage box

Audubon Society Bird Whistle

Did you know that you can attract birds with a wooden bird whistle? Depending on how you slide it, it makes a variety of bird noises like chirps, tweets and whistles!

What we like about it:

• Can attract backyard birds like cardinals and nuthatches
• Pet cats, dogs, and birds enjoy the sounds too
• Inexpensive 

A beautiful hummingbird feeder

A stunning hummingbird feeder brightens up any yard! And the colorful design attracts birds. Made of glass and metal, this feeder will last outside in the sun, wind and rain!

What we like about it:

• Fun and colorful design 
• Metal and glass construction won’t yellow in the sun like plastic
• Includes hanging hook 
• Includes ant moat

Window bird feeder

Attach a clear plastic bird feeder to a window with suction cups for amazing closeup views of your feathered friends.

It works on any window without a screen

What we like:

• Great for any season or climate
• Tray is easy to remove and refill
• Drain holes in the bottom prevent mold
• Mounting the feeder on a high window away from trees makes it squirrel-proof

Owl house

Did you know that birds of prey live in birdhouses too? Screech owls, which live all over the US, love birdhouses and even live in the suburbs. 

Treat your bird watching friend to the sight of an owl family living in their yard!

What we love:

• Easy to access for cleaning out or mounting a camera
• Sturdy cedar construction 
• Includes wood shavings for nesting material
• May also attract kestrels

Learn more about bird of prey nest boxes and other options here.

Birdwatching Journal

Birders love to document which birds they’ve seen and where. This sleek journal has a page for each of the 923 bird species in the US where birdwatchers can record their sightings. Plus there’s a checklist in the back so you can see your overall progress. 

Why we love this:

• Plenty of room for notes
• Lets birders record their fondest birdwatching memories and trips
• Well-constructed design will hold up for years

More Bird- themed gifts for backyard bird watchers 

Book: What It’s Like to Be a Bird

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to know why birds do what they do! The gorgeous illustrations look straight out of a field guide, and has amazing facts about familiar backyard birds like cardinals, robins, and chickadees. 

Why we like it:

• Great for any age and reading level
• Appropriate for non-birders or advanced bird watchers
• Drivers everything from facts about feathers to roadrunner running speeds
• Unlike field guides, helps birdwatchers understand bird behavior

Decorative bird poster

This illustrated bird poster has a vintage look and makes a gorgeous yet useful gift! 

What we like:

• Goes with any decor 
• Useful and fun! 
• Add a frame to fancy it up
• Low cost

The perfect gift for the backyard birdwatcher with a sense of humor- Bird-Themed Tea Towels

Spruce up the kitchen with this fun and funny cotton tea towels!

There are tons of hilarious options to choose from.

This one is more cute than funny, but it’s so colorful!

And even great versions for Christmas gifts too!

Or check out Sarah Edmund’s shop on Etsy. She has dish towels, posters, aprons, mousepads, and more with pictures of birds and almost-inappropriate text.

And add in a copy of the book Effin Birds for more humor!

What we like about it

• Machine washable
• Soft and high quality 
• Brightens up anyone’s kitchen and mood!

Bird-themed wine charms

These fun bird-themed wine charms are perfect for someone who loves vino and vireos! Add a bottle of wine to your gift and you’re all set

Why we like these:

• Pretty and fun way to tell everyone’s wine glasses apart
• High quality 
• Brightly colored

Bird Bingo Game

Up to twelve kids or adults can play this bird-themed bingo game! It features 64 gorgeously illustrated cards of birds from around the world.

Why we like it:

• Great for any age
• Educational twist on a classic game
• High quality pieces

Wingspan Board Game

If the backyard bird watcher in your life would enjoy a game that’s more complex than Bingo, then Wingspan is the right game for them! Build your aviary and attract birds. With cards with detailed illustrations, egg figurines, and a birdhouse dice tower, what’s not to love? Perfect for up to 5 players, ages 14 and up

Why we like it:

• Beautifully designed
• Even includes bird facts on the cards!
• You can play it over and over

Birdwatching t-shirt

You can never have too many t-shirts! These super soft shirts come in many different colors too.

Bird Journal Coloring Book

The Sibley Birds Coloring Field Journal (available on Amazon) is a great way to relax AND learn more about birds. Each page features an extremely accurate picture of a different bird with lots of details that a birder can color as they see fit.

Bird wall art

Some bird themed art is great for anyone’s home, but even better for a birder!

And they can even hang them anywhere- the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, office…

What we like:

• Works in any room
• Many ways to arrange and hang them

Add a bird-themed card

No matter which gift idea for backyard bird watchers you choose, you’ll want the perfect card to go with it! This popup bird card makes a great decoration and works for any occasion!

Why we like it: 

• The gift recipient will feel even more special
• Great card for birthdays, holidays, or just because 

Add a birdwatching joke or pun, or an inspirational bird quote to make your card even more special!

More gift ideas for backyard bird watchers 

Finding gift ideas for backyard birdwatchers is tricky! You don’t want to buy something they already have. But you may want to help them enjoy their hobby more or take it to the next level!

High quality birdseed or suet makes a great gift.  Anyone with a bird feeder can always use more.

Likewise, if your friend doesn’t have these items, they make great gifts too

• Bird bath
• Bird feeder
• Suet holder
• Window clings to prevent birds from hitting them

Or look for other items with bird or nature themes, such as home or garden decor.

Here’s a few more perfect gift ideas for backyard bird watchers who have everything! Consider donating to a charity that supports birds, such as the Audubon Society or Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology.

Perhaps there’s a local nature center or raptor rehabilitation facility in your area. Or donate to a park near your friend’s home. After all, the perfect gift idea for backyard bird watchers may be one that they don’t have to refill or dust!