Collections > Holdings

Taxonomic representation: Of 172 families of living birds, 169 are represented. Of approximately 2057 genera of birds, we have 1780. The collection contains about 6,387 species and 40 hybrids. Particular strengths are in the grebes (Podicipediformes), shorebirds and alcids (Charadriiformes), African waxbills (Estrildidae) and viduine finches (Viduinae) in both skin and skeletal collections.

Geographic representation: All geographic regions are represented, with specimens from 273 countries. About 100,000 specimens are from the United States, including 40,000 from Michigan. Other states which are well represented are Alaska, Arizona, the Dakotas, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas. Other areas of the world represented by large numbers of specimens are Canada, Labrador, Chiapas, Yucatan, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Egypt, sub-Saharan Africa, the Philippines, and southern Asia from Iran, Kashmir, and northern India to Assam.

Study skins: consists of approximately 175,000 specimens (6th largest in North America; about 2/3 of the species of the world), housed in 224 cases (133 double, 190 single, 1 triple), approximately 5000 sq. feet. In addition to study skins, the collection also includes other special preparations such as flat pelts and spread wings and tails.

The skin collection contains 317 holotypes and 3 lectotypes. These are not available for loan. An annotated list is available (UMMZ Misc. Publ. No. 174, R. W. Storer, 1988). A list and images of our types are available electronically. Extinct species are represented also.

Above: A section of the collection; Parrot study skins; Birds of Paradise and Lyrebirds.

Below: Bald Eagle skull

Skeletons: approximately 23,500 specimens, 3,500 species (4th largest in the world in number of specimens, 2nd in number of species after the U.S. National Museum) stored in 60 cases, approximately 700 sq. feet. The only families missing are: Mesoenatidae, Rhynochetidae, Dromadidae, Leptosomatidae, Oxyrunchidae, Acanthisittidae, Atrichornithidae, Hyposittidae, and Callaeidae. About 1/2 of the skeleton specimens are from the United States. Other geographic areas for which we have large holdings are: Argentina (830), Australia (485), Canada (435), Costa Rica (1000), Egypt (1000), Ghana (490), Mexico (650), New Caledonia (140), Paraguay (1160), Philippines (340), Surinam (370), and Tanzania (340).

Of particular use for paleontologists, archaeologists and anthropologists is the index collection, a selection of skeletal elements for identifying bones to order.

Fluid collection: 4,200 specimens (18th largest in the world), 464 linear feet of shelving and 27 linear feet of floor space for tanks. Also available are 1000 fluid preserved syrinxes.

bird eggs
Eggs and nests: 4,500 egg sets and 550 nests in 26 cases.

Frozen tissues: Samples from about 4,000 individuals stored in an ultracold freezer. Please note these are not listed in our on-line database. Write for information on our holdings.