Buying my first camera— what do I look for?

Hi there!

I’ll be buying my first camera, likely secondhand due to budget, and I’m not sure what to look for when looking at condition..

-How do I know if it’s in good condition besides obvious cracks/glitches?

Currently looking at: -a Nikon d5000 with a Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.5 for $250 (comes with protective case) -a Nikon d3000 with a 70-300mm lens & a 18-55mm lens for $350 (no case)

This will be my first camera. I am beginner ish (have used an exes camera in the past and got quite good with it) and have always loved taking photos.

I will specifically be taking nature and bird photos. Video is not a priority to me. To my understanding, the 70-300 lens would be a good zoom lens to start with.

I’m open to any and all advice! I know very little about cameras and lens, only how to work them well enough to get a decent shot.