What we stand for
Most information about birding is written for people who already know their way around, or comes from a shop trying to sell something. That leaves little for a beginner to hold on to. Which binoculars actually suit a first-timer? Which field guide makes sense without prior knowledge? And which app can identify the bird in your garden?
Birdpuzzles answers exactly those questions. We explain things calmly, compare what's out there honestly, and pick one clear favourite for every budget. No jargon, no sales pitch. Just the explanation we would have wanted when we started.
Our chosen cause: 5% to the birds
Birding is better when there are birds to watch. That's why we give a fixed share of our earnings back to nature: we donate 5% of our profit to European bird conservation. That money helps with habitat, breeding grounds and species under pressure.
How it works
We calculate 5% of our profit and pass that amount on to a European bird conservation charity. You don't need to do anything yourself: every purchase you make through us counts automatically.
For clarity, because that's part of being honest: Birdpuzzles is an independent platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any conservation organisation. We keep our giving general rather than naming a single charity, so nothing on this site should be read as an endorsement from, or a partnership with, any specific organisation.
How we choose our picks
Our choices are based on three things:
- Advice from experienced birders and respected organisations, such as national bird conservation bodies and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
- The specifications that actually matter in the field: field of view, weight, close-focus distance, warranty, and how a product compares to alternatives.
- Current prices and availability from European retailers.
We choose based on usefulness for beginners, not on the size of a commission. Prices are indicative and vary per store and moment, so we update our guides regularly. Spotted something that's out of date? Let us know and we'll fix it.
Independent, and how we make money
Birdpuzzles is free to read. We earn money in two ways, and we're open about both.
- Affiliate links. Buy something through a link to a shop and we sometimes earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you. Which products we recommend has nothing to do with that commission.
- Curated gift links. Our puzzles and gifts guide links out to independent Etsy makers and Amazon listings we think are worth a look. We don't sell our own products; every gift on the site is picked, not made by us.
Contact
Question, tip, or spotted something wrong in a guide? We'd love to hear from you, especially from people who are just starting out. Email us at hello@birdpuzzles.com.