Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

I recently took a chance buying a Canon T7i (800D) camera on-line for $505, including shipping costs.  I could have gotten it a little cheaper, but I wanted to get it from a reputable seller.  Best Buy had the same camera for $699 which is more than I wanted to pay.  The on-line store shipped it via UPS and I had to sign for it.  It was a little bit of a hassle picking it up from the UPS store because I wasn't home when they delivered it.  But at least I didn't have to worry about a porch thief stealing it.  Best Buy will sell the Canon T7i (800D) camera with two kit lenses for $749, which I think is a pretty good deal.  You would have to check with them if they are both the STM version.  Both of those STM lenses are good.

Any way, I thought I would let you know of other options.  A big part of a camera purchase is the lenses.  That gets you started.

Here's a recent picture with my new Canon T7i (800D) camera and the 18-55mm kit STM lens during cloudy and rainy weather.  I just got the camera two days ago.  I had the extra kit lens, so it all worked out good.  I wish I could show you a sunny picture, but in Oregon right now we have been having lots of clouds and rain.

I have thousands of pictures with the Canon T7i (800D) camera and the 55-250mm STM lens, because I have had the combination for a very long time.

Anyway, here's one sample.  This is the "Gold Man" on top of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon.  This is also a recent picture, taken a few days ago on February 1st.

What are the prices of the Canon T6i and SL3 that you are looking at?  Do they also include lenses?

OP:

How about a Canon-refurbished 77d?

(consider the 18-135 EFs lens, too!)

will not work on the SL3

Brianna, I mentioned lenses. What lenses are you planning to use for wildlife? That's an important consideration when you look at camera prices. That's because you need to start with a system. I did start with the Canon 55-250mm lens for wildlife. It was challenging for me, to be able to get close to the wildlife without scaring them off. I actually did pretty well considering the relatively shorter focal length. Then I got the Tamron 150-600mm lens. That made a huge difference for me. It's heavy and bulky but I learned how to handle it (cradle it like a baby).

The advantage of the smaller telephoto lens, was that I could stand still for a very long time near a bird feeder. As long as I was like a statue, some of the birds would come very close. When I got the larger telephoto lens, I had a lot more reach, but I could no longer hold it still for an extended period of time. Some people use relatively expensive tripods that can handle that much weight, but I've chosen to use it all of the time hand-held. So, I had to make adjustments. But the larger Tamron lens is my lens of choice for wildlife.

Here's one of my wood duck photos taken with the Tamron 150-600mm lens. I took that last year on January 1st when we had sun. Where I live in Oregon, sun is not common during the winter months. So, I had to go back many months to find one example for you. Also the wood ducks in our neighborhood, mostly stay here during the rainy months. I rarely see them during the summer, when we have more sun.