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.
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.
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.
Various common Indian birds eggs from the Hume Collection.
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:
Need to check a name?
Dickinson, E (editor). 2003. The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. Revised and enlarged 3rd Edition. Christopher Helm.
Jobling, J A. 1991. A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. Oxford University Press.
Wells, M G. 1998. World Bird Species Checklist: with Alternative English and Scientific Names. Worldlist.
Looking for information on a particular family or species?
Cocker, M & Mabey, R. 2005. Birds Britannica. Chatto & Windus.
Cramp, S et al., 1977-1994. Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: the Birds of the Western Palaearctic, Volumes 1-9. Oxford University Press. (Widely known as BWP.) (Also available: D. W. Snow & C. M. Perrins (editors), 1998. The Birds of the Western Palaearctic, Concise Edition. Volumes 1-2. Oxford University Press.)
del Hoyo, J, Elliott, A & Sargatal, J (editors). 1992-2011. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volumes 1-16. Lynx Edicions. (Widely known as HBW.)
Perrins, C M (consultant-in-chief). 1990. The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Birds: the Definitive Guide to Birds of the World. Headline.
Trying to identify what you've seen?
Brown, R, Ferguson, J, Lawrence, M & Lees, D. 2003. Tracks and Signs of the Birds of Britain and Europe. 2nd Edition. Christopher Helm.
Lewington, I, Alstrom, P & Colston, P. 1991. A Field Guide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe. Harper Collins Publishers.
Svensson, L, Mullarney, K, Zetterstrom, D & Grant, P J. 2010. Collins Bird Guide (2nd edition). Harper Collins. (This one covers Britain and Europe, but there are many other field guides for other areas of the world.)
Interested in bird anatomy?
Proctor, N S & Lynch, P J. 1993. Manual of Ornithology: Avian Structure and Function. Yale University Press. (General anatomical information is also available in HBW Vol. 1, Forshaw’s Encyclopaedia and the Cambridge Encyclopaedia details listed above).
van Grouw, K. 2012. The Unfeathered Bird. Princeton University Press.
Fascinated by extinct birds and evolution?
Hume, J & Walters, M. 2012. Extinct Birds. T. & A.D. Poyser.
Fuller, E. 2001. Extinct Birds, Revised Edition. Comstock Publishing Associates.
Feduccia, A. 1996. The Origin and Evolution of Birds. Yale University Press.
Yalden, D & Albarella, U. 2009. The History of British Birds. Oxford University Press
Interest in the history of ornithology?
Bircham, P. 2007. A History of Ornithology. Collins New Naturalists. (Mainly focuses on British ornithology).
Mearns, B & Mearns, R. 1998. The Bird Collectors. Academic Press.
Walters, M. 2003. A Concise History of Ornithology. Christopher Helm.
Find a specimen
The collections are being digitised and are accessible via the Data Portal.
Resources
Type specimen catalogue: Search or browse bird type specimens and access catalogue data on holotypes, syntypes, lectotypes and neotypes.
eBEAC: Explore the electronic Bulletin board for European avian curators, an online community of European bird curators and associates.
Useful resources
- ARKiveopens in a new window
- Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL)opens in a new window
- Digimorph - digital morphology at the University of Texasopens in a new window
- Internet Bird Collection opens in a new window
- Xeno Canto global bird songs collectionopens in a new window
- The Macaulay Libraryopens in a new window
Bird ring recovery
The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) coordinates the ringing and reporting of wild birds in Britain and Ireland.
Important research on the survival and movements of these birds is supported by reports received from members of the public.
Found a ringed bird?
If you have found a ringed bird please report it by contacting the National Ringing Scheme
The Ringing Unit
BTO
The Nunnery
Thetford
Norfolk, UK
IP24 2PU
Tel: +44 (0)1842 750050
Fax: +44 (0)1842 750030
Email: [email protected]