Discover an extinct dodo, our historical hummingbird cabinet, and a Victorian avian anatomy display in the Birds gallery.
From endangered species to native British breeds and contemporary conservation efforts, explore the wonders of our bird collection.
Star specimens and exhibits
- cases of nesting birds dating from 1883, featuring blackbirds and storm petrels
- a selection of eggs ranging from those of the tiny hummingbird to the giant elephant bird
- two passenger pigeon specimens, a species that once numbered in the billions and is now extinct
- framed prints from John James Audubon's famous The Birds of America book
- a beautiful painting of the extinct great auk
The Birds of America
It's not hard to imagine why a group of teenagers might attempt to steal John James Audubon's iconic and valuable book The Birds of America, a true story told in the film American Animals.
See these prints on display in the Birds gallery.
The diversity of birds
Discover the world's birds in an online exhibition.
A collaboration between the Museum and Google Arts & Culture.
Discover: birds
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NewsDinosaur fossils reveal how birds got their distinctive walks
New research has revealed how birds changed from rigid raptors to flexible fowl.
20 November 2024 -
Science newsThe slender-billed curlew is declared extinct
This is the first mainland European bird declared extinct in 500 years.
18 November 2024 -
Science news‘One of a kind’ fossil from the age of dinosaurs reveals roots of bird intelligence
A remarkable fossil could transform our understanding of how the intelligence of modern birds evolved.
13 November 2024 -
Science newsThe evolution of birds made giant cicadas better flyers
An evolutionary ‘air race’ may have been taking place in forests during the age of dinosaurs.
28 October 2024
