Best Binoculars For Bird Watching – We Tell You All

Are you passionate about birds and plan to spend all your free time observing them? You know then that it is essential to have good binoculars adapted to ornithology to fully appreciate these moments.

A successful birdwatching trip is a combination of two factors, good binoculars and a good guide to your area. There are countless of practices and activities  such as safaris  which require binoculars.

Among all of them, ornithology is the discipline which requires the greatest precision and image clarity. Indeed this helps to quickly differentiate between bird species. 

It's worth noting that amateurs of ornithology have pushed the optics industry to constantly innovate and offer binoculars that even more powerful and efficient .

Either as an amateur, initiated or expert, you know a lot about  birds and want to buy a pair of binoculars adapted to you needs. 

You are therefore wondering about the best binoculars to choose for an ornithologist . Our guide and review article will share all the practical information to indulge your passion.

How to choose the best bird watching binoculars?

You may need binoculars with a wide field of view and with good brightness. Indeed this will help you bird watch chickadees, sparrows, nuthatches, robins or finches of trees with great precision.

However, keep in mind that a high magnification decreases the field of view, so you may need to find the right compromise.

Moreover, in addition to these criteria we agree on the fact that certain functional characteristics are common and dear to all birdwatchers around the world.

The sight quality of bird watching binoculars

What clarity, cleanliness and sharpness is necessary to be able to correctly contemplate a bird perched in a tree tens of meters away?

The factors that affect the quality of sight are:

• lens size
• the quality of the glass used to make prisms and contact lenses
• coatings and specific treatments carried out on optics in order to improve their quality

The quality of binoculars is defined by the manufacturing process put in place by the brands in order to guarantee you a perfect product that meets high technical requirements . It is therefore advisable to choose recognized brands in this area in order to benefit from their experience and know-how in the development of these products.

The essential features of bird watching binoculars

By functionalities we mean technical characteristics. During an outing in the forest or in nature, you will first notice that the weight of the material is important. 

You feel after an hour or two that the transport is more or less painful, even with a padded neck strap or a carrying harness. It is therefore important to limit the weight of your binoculars as much as possible.

The second important feature is the focus . Prefer a central focus rather than individual. Indeed, you will have to be reactive and attentive all day to be able to see the birds as well as possible, especially during their flight. Be sure to select binoculars with a fluid and ergonomic wheel allowing you to quickly adapt your vision to alleviate all situations.

Do not neglect other criteria such as eye relief . You must have adjustable eyepieces to allow you to relieve your eyes and keep your device at an adequate safety distance allowing an optimal visual experience.

Finally, do not neglect the magnification . Most ornithologists seem to appreciate a magnification of 8 to 10x allowing them to have a good compromise between field of vision and sharpness.

The reliability and durability of bird watching binoculars

Often used in extreme conditions, the binoculars of ornithology are manhandled at each exit. Durability is an essential criterion to take into account, knowing that the risks of deterioration are omnipresent. 

You are not protected from scratches, breakage or infiltration of moisture. If it gets inside your binoculars, dust will soon seep into it as well. After several uses, the adjustment of the center focus, which was smooth when purchased, can become stiff and inflexible.

The best bird watching binoculars

Bushnell Binoculars Legend L series 10 × 42

The Legend range is made up of 3 series:

• E Series : binoculars that provide acceptable optical performance for occasional use.
• The L Series : the best value for money in this range. Great performances coupled with an affordable price.
• The M Series : the best quality of this range with a primary search for technical performance, the price is therefore higher.

The binoculars Bushnell Legend L series offer a good quality / price ratio. This pair of binoculars offers Bak4 prisms chemically treated to increase optical performance. Result, improved resolution and contrast for a clear vision of the target.

Equipped with ED glasses , these ornithology binoculars therefore make it possible to have more clarity on the edges of the objects observed. The multilayer lens (FMC) give this model increased brightness and brighter images. The water repellent coating allows the binoculars to be waterproof and prevents water from infiltrating.

Celestron TrailSeeker Binoculars 8 × 42

Designed especially for bird watchers and nature lovers, this pair of binoculars offers bright, high-contrast images with a realistic color rendering. These binoculars offer clear clarity when observing even over long distances. Its very low dispersion multi-layer anti-reflective glasses give it optimal optical performance. 

Its wide field of vision supplemented by its incredible performances make these ornithology binoculars one of the most efficient models for its category.

Built to withstand outdoor use over time, this model will give you satisfaction for many years. Its chassis made of a special alloy makes it light, resistant to corrosion and effective in all situations. Sealed nitrogen helps make these binoculars waterproof while fighting fogging during sudden temperature changes.

NIKON ACTION EX 7 × 50 Binoculars

The Nikon Action Ex 7 × 50 binoculars have been designed to have an overview of the scene to be observed thanks to its large exit pupil. With multilayer lenses treated against fogging and reflections, these binoculars offer you immersive, highly contrasting views, bright and sharp while offering vivid and sharp colors. 

Its depth of field allows you to benefit from a better appreciation of the relative distance between the objects observed.

During use, these binoculars binoculars offer beautiful optical performance complemented by optimal comfort of use thanks to its balance and design. The rubber frame is comfortable and allows you to properly take these binoculars in hand.