Bird watching is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States and Europe. People who indulge in birdwatching cover a wide spectrum; ranging from the casual park goers who feed pigeons, to environmentalists who view, photograph, and catalog various avian species.

If you're serious about bird watching, and are taking it up as a fulltime hobby, there are a few things you'll need to take with you on your trips. Depending on your personal tastes and your reasons for taking up bird watching, you may not neccesarily need all of the equipment presented here; however, it never hurts to be prepared.

Binoculars - any good set of binoculars will do for birdwatching, though if you're planning to view nocturnal birds, make sure that the set you get also includes night vision capability. Since you'll be outdoors for the most part, get a rugged set that can withstand most terrain and weather conditions.

Bird Guide - if you're packing a palmtop, download a bird guide, or buy a small pocket guide at a bookstore. With a good guide, you'll be able to identify the breed of bird you're watching, as well as obtaining useful information like its feeding habits and behavior patterns. The best guides also have tips on popular parks and preserves you can visit.

Digital Camera - digital cameras are silent as opposed to classic shutter-types, which make them useful for birdwatching. Birds are extremely sensitive to noise, especially in the wilderness, so a digital camera won't spook them. Be sure to choose a camera that has high resolution and a high frame capture rate, in case you get a shot of a bird on the wing. Also, get a digital camera with good zoom range, since you'll most likely be viewing birds from a good distance away.

Note Pad and Pen - keeping a journal allows you to keep track of what kinds of birds you've spotted, when, where, and under what conditions. Besides being a diary of sorts, this can actually be especially handy if you come across a rare species of bird, or even one that is on an endangered species list so that you can report its presence and location to your local wildlife preserve.

General Outdoor Gear - this isn't for the casual birdwatcher. For those who plan to actually take trips out into the wilderness however, pack a tent, sleeping bag, rations of food and water, and other camping essentials. Include safety and survivial gear like first aid kits and emergency flares.