You do not need a
Leica Ultravid HD, a
Swarovski EL, a
Zeiss Victory FL, a
Steiner Peregine XP or a
Nikon EDG or any other popular, premium birding binocular to identify birds and get started in birding. In fact, you can identify as many birds with a
birding binocular at a fraction of the price of these superb birding binoculars. My old ornithology prof, for instance, used a well-worn, beat up Tasco binocular and he was a great birder. A birding friend of mine uses a vintage Bushnell binocular out of 80s and his life list is over 500 birds. On the other hand, using a high-grade birding binocular may actually make you a better birder, since owning a premium birding binocular will encourage you to do more birding and that translates into more birds seen. Then, too, there is nothing like seeing a beautiful bird in one of the world's
best birding binoculars.