It’s that time of year – you want to find the most unique and thoughtful gifts for your friends and family. Whether you’re shopping for someone “difficult” or just out of fresh ideas, we’ve got you covered with our staff & volunteer picks for their favorite birdy gift.
Fun & Games
You don’t have to be into birds to enjoy Wingspan! This board game became an instant hit for birders and non-birders alike. Wingspan is a competitive, card-driven, engine-building board game with over 170 beautifully illustrated bird cards. If you’re feeling generous, you could also throw in the European and Oceania Expansions!
For a more compact bird-themed game, try this birdwatching dice game. It’s perfect for those long rarity stakeouts and post-big-day happy hours!
Birdwatching itself can be a game, and what better way to keep track of those lifers than with this adorable Bird Passport, perfect as a stocking stuffer. Each of the 20 entry pages is accompanied by a blank page for thoughts and sketches.
The nature shop at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary has bird puzzles, bird bingo, and more for game lovers of all ages! You can even get educational books for children and bird guides for adults. Stop by on weekdays from 9 am to 2 pm to purchase your gifts!
Bird-Friendly Gifts
For a more unique and festive take on a bird feeder, gift these small glass hummingbird feeders that also look like Christmas ornaments.
For the bird lover who wants to prevent those deadly window collisions, you can gift some bird-friendly marker-pattern tape. You can even throw in some cute window decals to help them sleep easy knowing their backyard birds are safe.
Spread cheer and feed more birds with these adorable birdseed ornaments! You can purchase them on Etsy or, if you’re feeling crafty, do it yourself.
Help a new backyard bird enthusiast get started with a feeder, birdhouse, water feature, or other bird-friendly yard item! Wild Birds Unlimited has options for all of the above, with an online shop and multiple locations around Houston.
For the Birdwatcher
Birders can keep their binoculars clean with this Nikon Lens Pen, which will remove fingerprints, dust, and other debris that may compromise your view.
If you know someone who loves to strike out alone for birding and enjoying the outdoors, they might like to have this Birdie Personal Safety Alarm along – just in case!
This fanny pack is great for birding day trips. It’s just big enough to hold a few snacks, water, and other essentials without the bulk of a whole backpack!
Everyone needs to stay hydrated while out birding, and one can never have too many water bottles! Check out Camelbak’s bottles, packs, and tumblers for the outdoors enthusiast in your life!
If you’re purchasing birding gear at Land Sea & Sky, be sure to take advantage of the 5% Houston Audubon discount! Just mention us in store or use promo code HOUAUDUBON online at checkout for 5% off your order. Land Sea & Sky will also donate 5% to Houston Audubon!
Apparel & Jewelry
Help support a tremendous effort to bring birding to everybody, and gift a Birdability/Bird Collective collaborative t-shirt! 20% of profits go to Birdability, as it works to ensure the birding community and the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everyone, regardless of disability or other health concerns.
We’re also big fans of the Bird Collective collaboration with our good partners at American Bird Conservancy. Items from this line support SPLASh – Stopping Plastics and Litter Along Shorelines – which aims to clean up the shorelines on the upper Texas Coast.
For an avian take on a traditional holiday gift, Printfresh PJs has luxe pajamas with a birdy print!
The ladies in your life will enjoy these adorable bird earrings. You may even end up getting an extra pair for yourself! Check out other shops on Etsy for more bird jewelry!
For the person that is challenging to shop for…
Anyone with an outdoor space can enjoy these beautiful native bird silhouettes made out of metal, which originally began as a New Zealand Street Art Project. A Metalbird can be installed on posts or trees and will transform your yard into a work of art!
For the birder that has everything else, the ornithologist-in-the-making, or the facts-sponge in your life, a subscription to Cornell Birds of The World will keep them satisfied all year long.
If your gift recipient is a coffee drinker, treat them to some delicious bird-friendly coffee from our friends at Birds & Beans. They can feel good knowing their cup of joe is helping to preserve over 100,000 acres of prime tropical habitat and biodiversity and save birds, family farms, and the Earth we all share.
Anyone that drinks hot beverages can enjoy this fun heat changing mug! Just add a hot drink and watch the bird silhouettes transform into their beautiful colors. As a bonus, all of the bird species are identified on the bottom of the cup!
If you choose to shop through Amazon, please consider supporting Houston Audubon by using AmazonSmile and selecting us as your charitable organization!
You could also gift an experience rather than physical items! That could include taking someone out for a day of birding and lunch, a trip to the Houston Audubon Raptor and Education Center, Moody Gardens, or the Houston Zoo to look at birds, a membership to their favorite conservation organization with nature trails, and more!
Houston Audubon does not endorse any of the above products or shops - they are gift ideas suggested by our staff & volunteers. Thank you to the following people for submitting ideas: Ryan Call, Catherine Lee Clarke, Richard Gibbons, Julie Gold, Susan Kennard, Kelly Martin, Karen Miles, Berri Moffett, Stuart Nelson, Zineera Seth, Judith Schott & Anna Vallery.
Support Houston Audubon
Support bird conservation with these gift ideas that give back to bird conservation!
Support the care of our education ambassador animals with an honorary bird adoption. Ranging from $50 – $250, adoptions include a certificate, photo, species fact sheet, and more. The $100 level includes a one-year Houston Audubon family membership (with unlimited visits to the Raptor Center!) and the $250 level include a private visit with the adopted bird.
High Island is a world-renowned birding destination and the sanctuaries are a treat even for those not interested in birds. A High Island patch includes unlimited admission to all four sanctuaries for the entire year. Purchase a 2022 patch for the outdoors enthusiast in your life for just $30!
The gardener in your life will appreciate the ease of caring for native plants in addition to the the huge benefits they provide for the bugs and birds in their yard. We’re now offering gift cards to the Houston Audubon Natives Nursery at our Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Your recipient can purchase plants online for Friday morning pick-ups.
Get your fellow bird-lover a Houston Audubon membership, which allows them to enjoy members-only field trips, free admission to the Raptor and Education Center, discounts at our nature stores and nursery open houses, and more, starting at just $35!
Surprise your partner (or treat yourself!) with a new birdy license plate that also supports bird conservation! This is a gift that keeps on giving – $22 of the annual $30 fee will come to Houston Audubon, and your recipient can drive around town with an Eastern Meadowlark on their plate, further promoting awareness of birds!
Stop by the Nature Store at the Raptor and Education Center to get a variety of birdy items! From books to apparel to plushies, there’s something for every bird-lover. The Raptor and Education Center is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. You can even visit the raptors while you’re there for just $5!
We hope this list has provided some great ideas and inspiration for your holiday shopping! Leave us a comment below with your own birdy gift ideas!
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