{"id":643,"date":"2025-01-28T19:49:49","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T19:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=643"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:35:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:35:30","slug":"the-basics-of-birding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-basics-of-birding\/","title":{"rendered":"The Basics of Birding"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-basics-of-birding\/#The_Basics_of_Birding\" >The Basics of Birding<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-basics-of-birding\/#Birding_Binocular\" >Birding Binocular<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-basics-of-birding\/#Clothes_and_Footwear\" >Clothes and Footwear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-basics-of-birding\/#The_Birders_Life_List\" >The Birder\u2019s Life List<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Basics_of_Birding\"><\/span>The Basics of Birding<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/tag\/birding\/\">Birding<\/a> is but another excuse to get outside. And a good one.\u00a0 Birding can be done from anywhere. Whether you\u2019re in the backcountry or at home in your backyard, the tools required are minimal. With nothing more than a good birding <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/understanding-turkey-behavior\/\">binocular<\/a>, some comfortable clothes, field guide, and a notebook to record what you see, getting started with the basics of birding is simple. It&#8217;s always a great time to enjoy some sunshine and warm weather while listening to the songs of spring.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-646 size-medium\" style=\"font-size: 16px\" title=\"The Basics of Birding\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/7J4C4782-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"The Basics of Birding\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/>Birding can be done from anywhere.<\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Birding_Binocular\"><\/span>Birding Binocular<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Many experienced birders prefer an \u200b<a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/binoculars\/8x42-binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">8&#215;42 binocular<\/a>\u200b because it has a wider field of view and allows more light to reach your eye. This makes it easier to find birds in a tree\u2019s canopy from the deep green of spring to the colorful hues of fall. Also, anyone who holds a binocular to their eyes for long periods of time will tell you that a <a title=\"42mm vs. 50mm Objective \u2013 Which is Best?\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/42mm-vs-50mm-objective-which-is-best\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">42mm objective<\/a> lens is typically a good weight and allows the maximum amount of light to reach their eyes, even in the low light of early morning and late evening.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">So, this type of binocular is great too even for those just learning the basics of birding. For the all day trips, those that go beyond the backyard, we highly recommend a \u200b<a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/accessories\/binocular-harness-s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">binocular harness.<\/a>\u200b The support provided by a harness will keep your neck and back comfortable throughout the day as you spend long hours on your feet looking up.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nBGtek3yYwA\" width=\"1120\" height=\"630\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Setting up a binocular for birding, <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-legend-of-the-winchester-model-70\/\">hunting<\/a>, or any activity is easy. Simply follow these steps.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Clothes_and_Footwear\"><\/span>Clothes and Footwear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Birds are wild animals. While they don\u2019t get quite as spooked by human presence as deer or elk, the key to a successful birding day is to become part of their natural environment. Wearing the right clothes, which can be camouflage or darker colors, will give you so many more opportunities to get close to birds. Also, try to move slowly and deliberately through your surroundings. This is where the right footwear comes in. Opt for boots or shoes that A) are broken in to avoid blisters and B) have a soft sole to increase your margin of error when moving over dried leaves and twigs. Or, if you\u2019re in the backyard, go barefoot.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Birders_Life_List\"><\/span>The Birder\u2019s Life List<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Another one of the basics of birding is a life list. The Life List is certainly not required to become a bird watcher. It\u2019s just a nice way to keep track of the bird\u2019s you\u2019ve identified over time. You can record your finds in a notebook or journal. There are also a range of great books available that dive deep into every avian creature in the United States and worldwide. These are fine resources even for those interested in identifying the birds they see on a daily basis.<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-665\" title=\"The Basics of Birding\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/blossom-1324088_1920-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The Basics of Birding\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/blossom-1324088_1920-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/blossom-1324088_1920-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/blossom-1324088_1920-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/blossom-1324088_1920-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/blossom-1324088_1920-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/blossom-1324088_1920-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/blossom-1324088_1920-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/blossom-1324088_1920.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Having a good binocular for birdwatching will lead to a rather enjoyable experience.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">As spring gently makes it way up through the nation, many birds are following that warm air. It\u2019s always amazing to hear the first warblers or see the first hummingbirds about the time of the dogwood\u2019s bloom. You may even consider setting out feeders in the backyard. That way, you only need a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/tag\/bird-watching\/\">bird watching<\/a> <a title=\"Why Turkey Hunting with Binoculars Works for Me\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/why-turkey-hunting-with-binoculars-works-for-me\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"776\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">binocular<\/a> nearby to begin your journey as an observer of the avian world.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Checkout the full line of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/setting-up-your-tract-optics-bino-chest-pak\/\">TRACT<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Binoculars<\/a> on our website:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/binoculars\/8x42-binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Top Rated Birding Binocular: TORIC 8&#215;42\u00a0<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/binoculars\/10x42-binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Works well for Shore Birds: TORIC 10&#215;42<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/binoculars\/10x50-binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Especially Good In Low Light: TORIC 10&#215;50<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/binoculars\/12-5x50-binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Must Have when Mounted on a Tripod: TORIC 12.5&#215;50<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/binoculars\/outlet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shop our outlet selection<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Basics of Birding | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11980,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2275,2252],"tags":[2291,2324,2325,2468,2493,2516,2517,2665],"class_list":["post-643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-accessories","category-binoculars","tag-10x-binoculars","tag-8x-binoculars","tag-accessories","tag-binocular-harness","tag-binoculars","tag-bird-watching","tag-birding","tag-harness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=643"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11981,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/643\/revisions\/11981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}