In my experience shooting wildlife the lens is more important than the camera. You will need a high quality zoom or telephoto lens to capture birds and animals. And you’ll want a lens that has a focus ring for quick and accurate focus on wildlife subjects.
I would definitely not purchase a camera on-line. Visit a full-service camera shop; you need to try various cameras for weight, balance, ease of use, location of controls. Do this with the appropriate lens attached. See if the camera comes to eye easily; decide whether you will be comfortable packing it around all day in the field.
I use pistol-grip support when shooting hand-held. This is a very inexpensive way of helping to stabilize the camera and is invaluable for the quick-shot situations that present themselves when photographing wildlife.
