Birds
Birds are thought to come from a dinosaur lineage, and still retain features of their prehistoric ancestors today. With over 9,000 species, discover how they helped to shape the world’s most significant evolutionary theory, and take a look at British birds of the past, immortalised in the Museum’s collections of paintings. Find out how the fossilised link between dinosaurs and birds has revealed the mysterious origins of flight.
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Identify birds
Post your photos and ask the experts for help identifying all species of British bird, from coal tits and sparrows in your garden, to birds of prey.
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Top tips for birdwatching
Here are some tips for birdwatching that will help you discover the fascinating world of birds.
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Macgillivray Art Collection - Birds
Browse William MacGillivray’s spectacular gallery of watercolours – some of the most accomplished bird depictions ever produced.
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Virtual Archaeopteryx Brain
Examine a virtual specimen of an Archaeopteryx brain case, in our 3D reconstruction of the earliest known flying bird.
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Animal migration
Why do animals migrate, how do they find the way, and how do they survive the journey?
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Darwin's mockingbirds knock finches off perch
Find out how mockingbirds from the Galapagos Islands, not finches, gave Charles Darwin his ideas about evolution. Watch the video.
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