Birding Gift Guide: 20+ Best Gift Ideas for Bird Lovers

Last Updated on November 21, 2024

If you’re looking for bird gift ideas for that special bird lover or birdwatcher in your life, you’ve come to the right place. As a self-proclaimed “bird nerd” (and someone who’s turned their yard into a certified wildlife habitat) I have plenty of fun bird gift ideas to share!

From the best bird houses and feeders to games and puzzles, this Bird Lovers Gift Guide includes over 20 unique bird gift ideas – including fun, pretty, and practical items that both the birdwatcher AND our feathered friends will enjoy.

1) Bird Houses

For us birders, there are few things more special and rewarding than watching our bird friends raise a family within the comfort of our yards. So, gift the bird lover in your life a cute little bird house – or two! We have several bird houses from Gardener’s Supply and are highly impressed with their quality, appearance, and craftsmanship. Some can mount directly to a tree or structure, or consider this sturdy adjustable pole mount.

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2) Binoculars

I spy with my little eye… This is a must-have gift idea for bird watchers! I use our binoculars several times a week to watch the bird feeders, spot owls in trees, or admire skittish baby quail from afar. In addition to backyard birding, us bird nerds like to take binoculars along on hikes, beach walks, and more. You never know when a good birdwatching opportunity will present itself!

Bird watchers rave about these affordable yet great quality binoculars. Or, step it up a notch with a pair of these trusty Nikon binocs. Most birdwatchers prefer a 8x magnification (which both of these are) for a wider field of view than super-close 10x or 12x.

3) Classic Bird Feeders

Every bird lover needs a simple classic bird seed feeder in their yard – or even for a smaller balcony or patio space! Bird feeders offer an invaluable food source for birds, especially during winter months while other food is limited. Bird seed feeders come in a variety of styles, including this classic copper feeder, squirrel proof options, suet block feeders, artsy sunflower glass feeders, fun window feeders for up-close viewing, and more. Complete the gift with a bag of deluxe wild bird food.

4) Wingspan Board Game

Wingspan is such a beautiful, fun, and interesting game. We became a bit addicted last year and played almost every evening for over 6 months straight! It doesn’t get old for us, but there are also several expansion packs available to keep things fresh. If you like board games and birds, you’ll love Wingspan. Yet this game can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys strategy, engine-building games – not just bird lovers! Once you get a hang of the original game, there are multiple expansion packs to it up too.

5) Books on Birds

Even though everything is on the internet these days, I still love to grab my old backyard bird guides when I need help with a visual ID! It’s also just fun to browse and learn more about various birds. The National Geographic Guide to Backyard Birds of North America is one of my top favorites. The Audubon Society also has a coupe great bird field guides, broken up into separate books for the US Western Region, Eastern Region, or their comprehensive updated guide for all of North America. Or, check out this new read: What An Owl Knows, a 2023 New York Times best-seller that everyone’s raving out.

6) Hummingbird Feeders

Who doesn’t love hummingbirds? Watching hummers zip around the feeders outside our windows always brings a smile to my face. While it’s also important to plant nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds, feeders offer hummingbirds a vital food source during times when flowers are scarce. This is my favorite pretty hummingbird feeder, which would be a great gift for bird lovers. We have three!

Learn how to make homemade hummingbird nectar with this cheap and easy hummingbird food recipe, along with tips on how to clean a hummingbird feeder.

7) MetalBird Yard Art

Hummingbirds, owls, chickadees, robins… you name it, Metal Bird probably has it. With a simple tap of the hammer, these high-quality metal bird silhouettes add a classy, whimsical touch to any yard. We have a hummingbird and monarch butterfly, but I want more! In addition to looking awesome, Metal Birds are made in the USA from recycled corten steel and uses sustainable packaging.

8) Bird Feeder with Camera

Get an up close and personal view of your favorite backyard birds with a smart camera bird feeder. Netvue smart bird feeders capture photos and videos of birds visiting the feeder, connects to your phone, and can also identify them for you! It also has an optional hummingbird feeder attachment. There are a few of these feeders on the market, but this is the one of the most popular and highly-rated.

Smart Video Bird Feeder

9) Bird Puzzles

I love a good puzzle. But a puzzle with birds? Sign me up! There are tons of beautiful, high-quality, bird-themed puzzles out there that would make excellent gifts for the bird lover in your life. I’ve done this vintage style Hummingbirds puzzle, which was fairly challenging but so pretty that I framed it after. The same company makes this Audobon birds puzzle. I want this cool State birds puzzle and this gorgeous Festival of 9 Birds puzzle next!

10) Bird Baths or Fountain

Having water available for bathing and drinking is essential to keep our bird friends happy and healthy! It’s also a great way to attract them to your yard for quality bird watching. Our various bird baths and fountains are always full of feathered visitors. Consider gifting a simple classic bird bath, a bubbling fountain, or other water feature to the bird lover in your life. We’ve found most of ours at local nurseries, but you can also find good quality bird baths online too!

11) Bird Hats

I’m obsessed with my California quail hat from Tom’s Bird Feeders. It’s high quality, fits great, and looks adorable. It makes me smile every time I wear it, and I receive compliments all the time! Tom’s offers a wide variety of beautiful embroidered bird hats including chickadees, robins, loons, plovers, bluebirds, owls, hawks, woodpeckers, jays, hummingbirds, and more – plus other kinds of wildlife! These are my favorite baseball-style caps ever.

12) Wildlife Trail Camera

Trail cameras are another fantastic way to watch birds and wildlife, especially in more elusive or private situations. I use our trail cameras regularly to monitor and watch the covey of California quail around our property (along with other wildlife), especially during chick season! It’s easy to operate, has great battery life and night vision, and takes excellent video and photos. Set them up around key feeding areas, the bird bath, nesting sites, or other areas of interest.

13) An Owl Box

Observing owls is at the top of list for most bird lovers. We have two Great Horned Owls that frequent our property; I named them Tootsie and Pop. Putting up an owl box can be a great way to attract owls to your yard, and offer them safe space to take shelter and raise young.

Different owl species favor different types of boxes, so do a little research on what types of owls are common in the area. Then, you can buy pre-made owl boxes (or kits) online, like this Screech Owl box (which also works for saw whet owls) or this Barn Owl box.

Or, as a really special bird gift, you could build a DIY owl box yourself! Use plans from trusted bird experts – like this Barn owl box plan from the Audubon Society, or this Eastern Screech owl box from the Cornell Wildlife Center.

14) Bird Mugs

The early bird catches the worm! (Thanks to my good friend, coffee.) From silly or sassy to pretty and classy, there are SO many sweet bird themed coffee mugs out there – the perfect easy gift for bird lovers.

I am especially fond of this Bird Nerd (fowl language) mug, this punny “cawfee” crow mug, and this white and gold owl mug. This beautiful watercolor bird mug comes in many options: hummingbirds, bluebirds, chickadees, loons, and more. Last but not least, this generously-sized teal Mama Bird mug would be super cute for the mom birders out there!

15) Shepherds Hooks

Us birders need a spot to hang our various bird feeders – like this sturdy single shepherds hook, or this heavy-duty double shepherds hook. Both come in various height options! They’re perfect for hanging bird seed feeders or hummingbird feeders along with solar lights, plants baskets, or wind chimes.

16) Birds with Sass

If you’re looking for a bird gift with some sass (and the recipient is okay with curse words) then look no further than the offerings from Effin’ Birds. Creator Aaron Reynolds makes bird comics and gifts ranging from calendars and mugs to birding field guide books and playing cards – all laced with rude but silly bird motifs. (Hey Mr. DeannaCat: if you’re reading this, the missus would love the playing cards!)

17) Bird Socks

Keep those tootsies warm on your next big birding adventure with bird-themed socks. Socksmith is a great small business that offers a number of highly-rated bird sock styles for men and women, including bluebirds, hummingbirds, chickens and more. Speaking of chickens, check out these ridiculous chicken leg socks – a hilarious gag gift for bird lovers! I’ve definitely been gifted a pair… twice. Ha!

Shop bird socks

18) UPF Clothing and Sun Hats

Protective clothing and sun hats are a perfect practical gift for the bird lover in your life. Whether we’re out on a nature walk, working in the garden, or taking a stroll on the beach, you can usually catch us sporting Solbari UPF 50+ long-sleeve shirts and sun hats. Gotta keep that skin protected, healthy, and looking young! Plus it’s hard to birdwatch when the sun’s in your face. The company is based out of Australia, so they know their sun protection.

That’s all for now!

Well folks, I hope you found some totally owl-some bird gift ideas on this list! Pop over to our Homestead Gift Guide for even more ideas, including garden, kitchen, and green home goods. Or, check out our Homemade Gift Ideas Guide with tons of mason jar gifts, tasty snacks, DIY self-care recipes and eco-friendly craft projects.

If you’re a fellow bird lover yourself, learn how to create a bird-friendly yard in this post. I’m particularly fond of the California quail, hummingbirds, Great Horned Owls, and flock of chickens in our backyard – but love all the other wild birds too. Who are your favorite birds? Share in the comments!