•Bird-feeders and bags of bird-seed are always appreciated by novice and expert birdwatchers alike. A standard hopper feeder is always a safe bet, but if you're more familiar with feeder types you may want to try platform feeders for ground-feeding birds, like sparrows and dove, or more specialized feeders like those designed specifically for finches. Droll Yankee makes quality feeders. For a unique and whimsical gift, a bird-seed wreathe can be a great holiday gift. Pipestem Creek is one such company that makes some beautiful and functional wreaths that can provide a unique holiday accent to your home and feed the birds at the same time.
•Nest boxes can provide opportunities for entertainment and learning for birdwatchers; young and old alike. If your birdwatcher lives in a city or suburb you might try purchasing a wren or chickadee nest box for them. The smaller holes of these boxes make it difficult for non-native House Sparrows, which are often abundant in human habitats, to gain access to them. For more rural homes a bluebird box or even a Screech-owl box can make a wonderful gift.
•Books are valuable tools for people looking for tips and techniques on everything from choosing seed and feeder types, to building and installing bird houses, to choosing landscaping plants to attract birds. Look for them in your local bookstore.
•Gift memberships to bird conservation organizations can make a wonderful gift because the recipient can join a local and nationwide network of people who share their passion about the conservation of birds and other wildlife. You also have the satisfaction that your gift is going to support the work that these organizations do to protect birds and their habitats.
•A gift that is both an attractive piece of art and supports conservation is a habitat stamp. The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (a.k.a. "The Duck Stamp") can make a wonderful gift for the birdwatcher in your life. $0.98 of every dollar spent on a "Duck Stamp" goes into leasing or purchasing land in the National Wildlife Refuge System, which provides critical habitat for many species of birds throughout the country. "Duck Stamps" are so named because they often depict species of waterfowl. Art for the stamps are chosen through a competitive contest. The stamps can be purchased in most post offices and outdoor sporting goods stores. You can get more information about how to purchase a stamp at 1-800-782-6724.
•Gift certificates to native plant nurseries can be a great gift for someone who likes to garden or landscape for birds, butterflies, or other wildlife. Native plants are better for birds for a variety of reasons, including as a more nutritious food source and safer nesting habitat.
•If your birdwatcher enjoys a good cup of coffee in the morning while checking out the birds on their feeders, you might want to consider purchasing some bird-friendly coffee for them. Bird-friendly coffee is grown in a manner that both preserves habitat for migratory and resident birds in central and South America, and does not involve pesticides and fertilizers. As a result the coffee is often certified as being organically grown. You can usually find bird-friendly coffee in the organic section of your local grocery store or your favorite local bird-specialty store. For a great-tasting bird-friendly coffee check out Good Migrations coffee. Learn more about bird-friendly coffee for birds by visiting the Coffee and Conservation web-site.
•For the high-tech birdwatcher an mp3 player with portable external speakers can be a good way of cataloging and condensing all of those bird song cds into one spot for quick reference. BirdJam customizes Apple iPod mp3 players with bird song cds and software already loaded and organized for quick and easy playback. These can be a great tool for helping someone learn their bird song identification.
•On those days when the weather is less than cooperative and the birds have sought shelter elsewhere, a good bird DVD might be in order. Popular movies like "Winged Migration," "March of the Penguins," "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill," and “Happy Feet” can provide hours of learning and entertainment. Other movies like the 10-part documentary "The Life of Birds" by David Attenborough can be a great source of information about the ecology and identification of birds.
•For a truly unique and memorable gift for the birdwatcher in your life a bird-watching eco-tour vacation might be in order. Bird-watching eco-tours can be a great way to explore the world, see birds as well as other wildlife, learn about new cultures, and support the protection of natural habitats. National Geographic offers a wide array of tour destinations with a variety of different purposes.
