Why Over 600,000 Bird Specimens Are Preserved At The Smithsonian

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is a natural history museum administered by the Smithsonian Institution, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., United States. It has free admission and is open 364 days a year. With 4.4 million visitors in 2023, it was the second most-visited museum in the United States.

Opened in 1910, the museum on the National Mall was one of the first Smithsonian buildings constructed exclusively to hold the national collections and research facilities. The main building has an overall area of 1.5 million square feet (140,000 m2) with 325,000 square feet (30,200 m2) of exhibition and public space and houses over 1,000 employees.

The museum's collections contain over 146 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts, the largest natural history collection in the world.

It is also home to about 185 professional natural history scientists—the largest group of scientists dedicated to the study of natural and cultural history in the world.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History boasts an impressive collection of over 600,000 bird specimens spanning the last two centuries. Each month, new additions enrich this archive, a testament to the meticulous efforts of specialists dedicated to preserving and maintaining every avian specimen. However, the majority of these birds never grace the museum floor. Why the need for such impeccable preservation?

The answer lies in research. Whether it's identifying birds involved in airplane collisions or unraveling evolutionary adaptations in bird anatomy, these specimens serve as invaluable resources. The goal isn't merely to prepare a bird for short-term use but to ensure its utility for centuries to come.

A visit to the Smithsonian offers a glimpse into the journey of one such specimen within the skins collection. It all begins with acquisition, often through donations from individuals or organizations. Some birds hold historical significance, like an ostrich gifted by King Mendelek to President Roosevelt, while others, like a California condor, find their way from governmental agencies.

Once acquired, the process of preservation unfolds in the skilled hands of museum specialists. Brian and Christina, among others, deftly undertake the task, drawing on years of experience. Thawing, weighing, and measuring precede the delicate task of separating skin from muscle and fat. Precision is paramount to ensure the specimen's longevity.

Discarding soft tissues and oil glands, which could hasten decay, the specialists meticulously remove every trace of fat. Gentle techniques and tools are employed to prevent damage to the delicate skin. Corn cob dust aids in absorbing moisture, while a fat wheel machine ensures thorough cleansing.

Washing and drying follow, with careful attention paid to maintaining the bird's natural form. Feather arrangement and wing positioning are meticulously attended to, ensuring a lifelike appearance. Once dried, the specimen is pinned onto a board, its permanent position in the collection secured.

Beyond preservation, these specimens serve as invaluable resources for researchers worldwide. From studying evolutionary changes to identifying birds involved in aviation accidents, the collection facilitates a myriad of scientific inquiries. Collaborations with government agencies, such as the Feather Identification Lab, underscore its practical utility.

Moreover, specialized collections, like the wings collection and the organ collection, offer deeper insights into avian biology. Researchers delve into microbiomes and skeletal structures, unraveling further mysteries of the avian world.

As custodians of this vast repository, the Smithsonian ensures that these specimens transcend time, serving as enduring records for future generations of researchers. What began as a humble endeavor by early preparators now stands as a cornerstone of scientific inquiry, bridging past, present, and future.

User