The Ultimate Gift Guide for Bird Lovers: Unique Gifts for Birders and Birdwatchers
Brett KarleyBefore we dive in, I want to mention that I don't receive any affiliate fees for the links below—these are all items that I genuinely adore.
Birders love details, and bird lovers treasure thoughtful gifts. The best gifts are those special items people want but wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves. I've put together a list of the best gifts for birders that any bird lover would be thrilled to receive. Each of these items enhances daily life away from nature or enriches the experience when out in the wild. Whether you're searching for gifts for birdwatchers, bird watcher gifts, or just unique gifts for bird lovers, this guide has you covered.
Nat's 1500 | EVA Insulated Rain Boots
Price: $66.00
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These boots are a game-changer. They let you walk through swamps, flooded rivers, and marshes—places you couldn't reach before. Completely waterproof and made from a single piece, they come with a removable insulated lining. In winter, they keep you warm (I've been cozy in a foot and a half of snow for hours), and you can remove the liner in warmer weather to avoid overheating. One extra recommendation: grab a pair of insoles for added support, as they don't have much built-in.
Nat's 1590 | Ultra Light EVA Boots with Thermal Liner (Upgrade)
Price: $109.00
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If you're looking for a bit more, these are your next best bet. They're lighter in weight, and the insulation is of higher quality and functionality. The shape of the boot is also more comfortable. Again, I'd throw some insoles into these for extra support.
Kowa YF II 8x30 Binoculars
Price: $119.00
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This is a killer entry-level binocular that's totally old-school in design—Porro prism style. This classic look is how binoculars used to be made. Kowa is renowned for their precision optics and is known for having some of the best scopes in the world. These binoculars are fog-proof and waterproof. I'd be happy to use them myself, but a newer birder would especially love receiving these as a gift. Use code BIRDCLUB15 for 15% off your orders.Â
Kowa BD II 8x42 XD Binoculars (Upgrade)
Price: $449.00
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For an upgrade choice, these binoculars are top-notch! They transport you into the trees alongside the birds, letting you see details usually reserved for still images after you're out of the field. This is a highly desired step up from entry-level binoculars and will make anyone remotely interested in nature fall in love with birding. Use code BIRDCLUB15 for 15% off your order.
"Owls of the Eastern Ice" by Jonathan C. Slaght
Price: $17.99 Hardcover
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This book blew me away. It explores a part of the world and a bird I knew nothing about. The adventure, peril, nature, and science in this book made it a page-turner for me. I can't believe the amount of hardship Jonathan endured in the name of ornithology. We're lucky to have this book from him.
"What It's Like to Be a Bird" by David Allen Sibley
Price: $18.99 Hardcover
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This book is great to have around. It's fun and easy to read, filled with fascinating facts and little anecdotes about birds, species, and behaviors. It's something you can keep coming back to over and over, or just flip through and read parts here and there. I love seeing it on my shelf.
2025 Calendar by Maltry Creative
Price: $40.00
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There are many bird artists out there, but not many with truly unique styles. These birds stand out from the rest, and you won't see any others like them. Think about your favorite bird and the things you love about it—all of these paintings and illustrations capture that essence, but with an otherworldly quality, like seeing them again for the first time. Hannah Maltry affectionately refers to them as "vaguely spooky," which I love. It's a super cool aesthetic that captures those feelings when you're alone in misty woods looking for birds. The calendar is also smartly designed so you can detach each month's archival-quality print and frame them. Oh, and she's also making ornaments, which you can't go wrong with.
Screech Owl House from Nature Niche
Price: $93.75
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If you live near woods or fields with trees, anyone would love to have one of these. You put it up on a tree, pole, or side of a barn, and these little screech owls—which you might not have even known live near you—will hopefully set up a nest in the box. And if by chance a screech owl doesn't come, American Kestrels and Northern Flickers also use this box. There's nothing like knowing that owls are living in your yard—so, so fun. Also, screech owls make a very pleasant trilling call.
Traveler's Notebook from Traveler's Company
Price: $55.00
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I love this notebook—I love notebooks in general—but for some reason, I don't always write in all of them. This one, however, I use all the time. It's fun to pack and bring with me. I love the shape and the feel of it. The best part is that you get blank pages where you can draw, write, make notes, and when you fill it up, you get a refill. Slide the refill in, and you can save all your notebooks while continuing to use the cover with the bookmark and elastic band.
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
Price: $37.20
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Anyone who has a notebook with blank pages will want some colored pencils to use in it. Even if you're not "good at drawing," you should try using colored pencils. When you see birds, try drawing them—try sketching some of the features you see out in nature. Even if you're not great at drawing, it's still fun. You can even draw once you get home after looking at some of the photos you took in the field. Nice pencils are something people might not buy for themselves, which always makes a great gift.
Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder
Price: $199.00
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These are having a moment right now, and rightfully so. They're giving people a view of nature like they've never seen before, right in their backyard. Birds they didn't know lived there, details, colors, types of birds they didn't even know existed—straight from their backyard to their phones. My mom sends me photos when some of her favorites come or when new species visit, and I love getting those messages. Pro Tip: Fill it with black oil sunflower seeds and dried mealworms to attract the biggest variety of birds. You don't need the other stuff mixed in.
Gift Wrap and Stationery by Alexia Claire
Price: Varies
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This stuff is beautiful and has so much character—so fun to look at. I'd be absolutely pumped to receive a gift wrapped in this gift wrap or to have some of the many other items she offers. You can gift her products as part of a gift or things to accompany a gift—all sorts of different items, and all of them are great.
The Dark Mode Corduroy Logo Cap from Bird Club
Price: $42.00
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Now, I thought about not including any of my own stuff here to give the most impartial list possible, but after returning from the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in early November, I've found that this item is something a lot of people want and appreciate. It's corduroy made from recycled bottles and has our Mandarin duck logo embroidered on the front. It has a flat brim and is unstructured—just a classic, clean look. People ask me about this hat all the time when I wear it.
The Classic Bird Club Rugby Shirt
Price: $108.00
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This is something I was hoping would catch on, and it seems like it's working. It's a midweight organic cotton rugby shirt in one of the most iconic 1990s styles, with "Bird Club" embroidered on the front and our Mandarin duck logo embroidered on the wrist. There are other little Easter egg details as well. This shirt grabbed a lot of attention at the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival—something that birders and non-birders really enjoy. I'd be remiss not to include it on a gift list, considering the positive feedback I've been getting. Plus, it's insanely comfortable.
Birds of the World Subscription
Price: $49/year (individual subscription)
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Birds of the World is a product from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which is the gold standard in worldwide ornithological information. Anyone who wants to learn about birds beyond their own borders needs this subscription. The information is gold—over 11,000 species with 1.5 billion eBird observations and 70 million pieces of media in the Macaulay Library. It's like a field guide for the world that you always have access to, whether on your phone or your computer. The information is invaluable; it will make you a better birder, a better traveler, and make your time outside much more fun. It's the ultimate resource for expanding your birding knowledge.
Bird Club Gift Card
Price: Starting at $25
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Sometimes it's tough to pin down exactly what a person might like, especially if they already have a lot or have a particularly curated sense of style. With the Bird Club Gift Card, you communicate what's important: quality, sustainability, and style. You also show the thought you put into the gift by introducing them to Bird Club. They're then free to look around and pick their favorite things—a win-win. It's the perfect way to let them choose something they'll truly love.
These gifts are sure to delight any bird lover, enhancing their daily life or enriching their experience in nature. Whether you're shopping for seasoned birders or those just starting out, these unique gifts for bird lovers will make their day. Happy gifting!
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About Bird Club
Bird Club is a premium, sustainable lifestyle brand crafted for those who are passionate about style, comfort, and nature. Our collection of eco-friendly birding gear, including ultra-cozy hoodies, organic cotton rugby shirts, sustainable ornithology t-shirts, and recycled hats, is designed to make everyone look great while feeling super comfortable, whether at home, in the field, or out on the town. Each piece is thoughtfully made to keep you comfy and express your love for the natural world, all while supporting a greener planet. With Bird Club, you can celebrate your passion for birding in style and sustainability. Each purchase supports bird conservation.
