Bird Collection

The Museum holds the second largest scientific collection of birds in Texas, consisting of over 6,600 specimens. Although most of these are preserved as study skins, 1,400 specimens, representing some 500 species, have been taxidermy mounted for display. Among the more significant included in this collection are a Passenger Pigeon and three Ivory-billed Woodpeckers (two of which are on permanent display). There are also a number of specimens collected by H.P. Attwater, for whom Attwater’s Prarie Chicken is named. Specimens from the Attwater Collection date back to the 1880’s.

In addition to its bird specimens, the Museum maintains several other ornithologically oriented collections. Among these are several hundred bird eggs and nests; a large collection of porcelain birds crafted by Boehm and by Doughty; a collection of antique duck decoys; and the Mudge Library. The Mudge Library is one of the finest collections of illustrated bird books in the country. It contains rare bird books dating back to 1536, with works by such noted "naturalist-artists" as Audubon, Gould, Wilson, Sharpe, Lear, Catesby, and Baird. All of these collections are available by appointment to interested parties.