Recommend binoculars for bird watching

I am thinking of getting a bino for birds, done some research and concluded that anything more than 8X power, will just be too heavy. So am thinking a 8X40 or 8x50, what is your thought and what brand would you recommend?

Cheers

Mick

Hi Mick, Here are some recommendations from well known birder and author Pete Dunne. I have the Nikon Monarch 8 x 42 and like them very much.

http://featheredgeoptics.com/petespick-binoculars.htm

I have both the Nikon Monarch 8x42 and 10x50 binos. Both are very good, but if I had to give one away and keep the other, I'd keep the 10x50's

I had some less expensive Nikon 10x50 Trailblazers. The Monarchs, to me, are superior.

Hack