[cpt1138]

The Nikon Monarch 7 is good. For birds you want something with a lot of light and less magnification (easier to hold steady). I also like the Vortex Viper HD for lower budgets. 8x42-50 is going to be your best bet for birding.

[veddox]

Both of those are good (I love my Viper), but neither of them is <250$. In that price range, I‘d recommend the Nikon ProStaff.

8x42 is the „default“ size for birding, but I also like the easier portability of a 8x30.

[killingtime74]

Monarch 7 is really great