Among all the various bird watching supplies, one reigns supreme. Of course I am talking about binoculars! Before binoculars were invented, identifying birds was quite a difficult task. Unless you had the bird right in front of you, it was nearly impossible to get a good look. Not anymore! Thankfully, the development of binoculars has changed this.
A decent pair of binoculars can be anywhere from around $100 to $300 if you want a high quality pair. I always recommend that you can buy the best binoculars you can afford. There is a fairly large difference between a pair that is $100 dollars and a pair that is $300.
When you are deciding on what pair of binoculars you want, you need to think about what you will be using them for. Do you want to be able to use them at during the day and at night? What specifications do you need? How wide of a field of view do you want? Lastly, and perhaps the most important, how much are you willing to spend?
If you want a reasonably priced, high quality binocular, I would recommend the Bushnell Binocular 8 X 40 mm Zoom Birder Combo. It comes with an instructional bird watching CD, so you can learn about all of the features of your new binoculars. These binoculars allow for optimum brightness at the 8 X 40 mm level. The more light the binoculars lets in, the better you will be able to see the bird, so it is important for binoculars to have a high brightness level. Plus, these binoculars are lightweight and comfortable to hold for long periods of time because of their non-slip rubber grip.
Another excellent binocular is the Natureview 10 X 42mm with Roof Prism Binocular, shown above. At 10 X 42mm, it comes with higher specifications than the Bushnell Binocular 8 X 40 mm Zoom Birder Combo, mentioned above. This higher specification has great light transmission which will allow you to see birds more clearly when it is dim outside. You will be able to bird watch during the day and at night! The only negative to the higher specification level is that these pair will be heavier. However, as long as binoculars are under 10 X, they will not be no where near too heavy for practical use.
Good luck choosing your perfect pair of binoculars!