References and resources

Access references, useful links and databases relating to the Museum bird collections.

Bird collection type specimen database

Search or browse bird type specimens and access catalogue data on holotypes, syntypes, lectotypes and neotypes.

All members of a syntype series have equal status, but only one member of each is listed, regardless of how many are in the collections.

The catalogue includes additions and corrections noted prior to June 2001. Additional entries will not be shown when browsing the catalogue, but will appear in appropriate searches.

• Volume 1: non-Passerines

Species that lack the characteristic Passerine trait of three forward-facing toes and one back. Compiled by Rachel L. M. Warren, Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History), London: 1966.

• Volume 2: Passerines

Species with three toes facing forwards and one back. Compiled by Rachel L. M. Warren and C.J.O. Harrison, Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History), London: 1971.

Useful references

Find what you're looking for with our comprehensive lists of ornithological references, and choose from a range of related websites.

Key Natural History Museum publications online

• Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum 27 volumes, 1874-1898)
• The History of the Collections contained in the Natural History Departments of the British Museum, Volume 2: Birds. (Bowdler Sharpe, 1906)
• The History of the Collections contained in the Natural History Departments of the British Museum, Volumes 1 & 3 (1904-1912) 
• Type specimens of birds in the British Museum (Natural History)  (Warren & Harrison, 1966-1973)
• Instructions for Collectors – Birds (Harrison, Cowles & Dahl, 1970)

General ornithological references

• BirdLife International, 2000, Threatened Birds of the World, Lynx Edicions & BirdLife International.
• M. Brooke & T. Birkhead (editors), 1991, The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Birds.Cambridge University Press.
• B. Campbell & E. Lack, 1985, Dictionary of Birds. T & A D Poyser.
• J. Forshaw (editor), 1998. Encyclopedia of Birds (Second Ed.). Academic Press.
• B.P. Martin, 1987. World Birds. Guinness Books. (Information on bird record-holders).
• C. Wernham et al. (editors), 2002. The Migration Atlas – Movements of the Birds of Britain and Ireland. T & A D Poyser.

Other useful references

Access topic-specific bibliographies, online bird dictionaries and ornithology history texts here: 

Bird collection references PDF (49 KB)