One of the essential tools a birdwatcher needs is a good pair of binoculars. Only birds in the immediate area can be viewed with the naked eye and often these are even difficult to see. If you have never selected a good pair of binoculars or have only used binoculars for occasional functions such as sporting events, you should know what qualities to look for in a good pair of birdwatching binoculars.
There are 3 primary features to look for when choosing a pair of binoculars for birding: Power, Diameter, and Field of View.
Power
Binoculars are usually specified by two numbers with an "X" between them, for example 7 x 50. The first number is the power of the binocular lenses. In the example 7 x 50, objects will appear 7 times larger in these binoculars. Binoculars in the power ranges of 7 to 10 are generally the best for birdwatching. The higher the range, the more difficult it will be to hold a steady image.
Diameter
The second number in the main binocular specification is the diameter (sometimes called the 'objective'). In the above example of 7 x 50, the diameter would be 50. Lens diameters in the range of 35 to 50 are good choices for birdwatching.
Field of View
The field of view describes the area that will be visible to you at 1000 yards. It may be expressed one of two ways. Sometimes it is expressed as a measure of degrees; for example - 6 degrees. Other times it may be expressed in the actual area visible to you; for example - 350 feet at 1000 yards. Fields of view used in this example are in the ideal range for birdwatching - especially for beginning birdwatchers.
There are many other features in choosing a pair of binoculars, but these 3 are generally the most important for birdwatching. A good set of binoculars will last many years and provide you with many enjoyable bird sightings!
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