In reply to Stuart (aka brt):
A proper camera with tele lens will be better for photographing a bird, but the spotting scope will be vastly superior for finding, observing, and identifying it in the first place (and also for showing it to the kids!).
The scope will be heavier than a DSLR, but not heavier than the huge, low f stop tele lenses with comparable focal length usually carried by bird photographers. Taking photos through the scope will in addition require a tripod and is a bit slower, as you typically do not look through the camera. A camera can be used from the hands or with a light monopod, but is annoying to use for finding the motive.
If you don't like the angled ocular scopes you can also go for straight models. They may be better for photographing, but are a pain to adjust for different viewers as you will have to set them to around eye level for each viewer. Especially if you go bird watching with children, it is much more convenient to set an angles scope for their eye levels, and have the adults bend down. Straight scopes are also a pain to use if the birds sit further up from your POV, as pointing them up requires bigger and heavier tripods, but conversely are great for sitting in a chair, sea watching....
Guess it really depends on your priorities.
CB