Collections of birds

The collection is the second largest in Poland. In 1832, according to the then director J.L.C. Gravenhorst, the collection contained 1 739 specimens of birds. It had grown significantly in the first half of the 20th century when two private collections were included:

Natorp’s collection

The collection includes 362 specimens of 80 species; 1159 specimens, which have survived up to date, make up the largest part gathered in one place. It consists of specimens stuffed by the author which are considered to be the best stuffed specimens of birds in the world and being recognized as a work of art.

Kollibay’s collection

This collection consists of 3 235 specimens. Both above mentioned collections contain mostly Palaearctic species, although Kollibay’s collection also includes exotic species, mainly from south-eastern Asia. The collection is perfectly labelled.

In the years 1944-45, when Wrocław was besieged (Festung Breslau), about half of the collection of birds (as well as other collections) was destroyed.

Currently, the collection of birds has about 12 500 specimens, belonging to 2 464 species. The majority comes from the Palearctic region, a part from the expeditions to the south-eastern Asia (especially Java and Sumatra), New Guinea and Brazil, and to a lesser extent, from other continents. The collection includes 179 representatives of 196 families currently distinguished, which is 91%. About 2/3 specimens are labelled. For about 100 species the series consist of more than 20 specimens.

Type specimens

There are two types of subspecies:

• Apus pallidus illyricus Tschusi, 1907
• Carduelis carduelis paropanisi (Kollibay, 1910).

Extinct and endangered species

Five extinct species are in the Museum’s collection:

• Great Auk Alca impennis (2 specimens),
• Javan Wattled Lapwing Vanellus macropterus,
• Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius (2 specimens),
• Carolina Parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis
• Huia Heteralocha acutirostris (a pair).

Seven species critically endangered or possibly extinct in the wild:

• Spix's Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii,
• Kakapo Strigops habroptilus,
• Red-vented Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia,
• Black Stilt Himantopus novaezelandiae,
• Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris,
• Psittirostra psittacea,
• Kinglet Calyptura Calyptura cristata.

Collection of eggs and skeletons

Ornithological collection also includes a collection of 11 260 eggs, mainly Palearctic species. The most valuable specimen is the whole preserved eggshell of extinct Aepyornis maximus.

There are also about 100 skeletons and skulls of birds in the collection.

List of orders and suborders with the number of species available in the Museum’s collection.

Collection’s Curators

mgr Jan Lontkowski
jan.lontkowski@uwr.edu.pl