One of the most mind-bending facts about the natural world (for me at least) is the fact that there are animals around in the present day that also existed alongside dinosaurs. They’re the ultimate survivors and have evolved throughout time to thrive all across Earth. As a result, there are some truly stunning, and seriously wacky, birds out there. And the Natural History Museum wants to celebrate them all, from the curious to the gorgeous and everything in between, with their upcoming exhibition, Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre.
Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre, which opens on May 24, 2024, is the first NHM exhibition to focus on our feathered friends in 20 years. In affiliation with the Royal Society for
the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the exhibition hopes to illuminate the incredible 150 million-year history of these hugely varied creatures. How much do most of us know, after all, about the birds behind the birdsong, and the animals that fill the sky?
What to expect from Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre
You’ll be able to feel how fast a hummingbird’s heart beats during flight, sniff the strange oil that is used by one bird to protect its eggs, and more. The specimens on display include ‘the Wonderchicken’, which is “the oldest known fossil of a modern bird which survived the mass extinctions triggered by an asteroid strike 66 million years ago“. That means it’s a dinosaur-time bird that still has modern iterations flying around us!
Other sights explore the mystery of migration, and the hardiness of some birds, as well as the interactions between birds and human culture.
Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, said:
“We extend a warm welcome to all curious minds at Birds: Brilliant & Bizarre. Birds, often seen but not fully understood, lead lives that are both fascinating and truly bizarre.
“They are one of the most studied groups of animals on the planet and the Museum cares for one of the world’s best collections with which to tell their tale.
“Our goal is to inspire action for the planet, fostering a future where people and our feathered companions thrive.”
Looking to the future
The exhibition also focuses on the threats that birds now face. Given the impact of humans on the planet, we now have a role and responsibility to protect birds. The exhibition hopes to inspire visitors to feel empowered to take action and protect the future of our feathered friends. This sees the NHM looking to the future with a vision of the UK in 2050. The sound of a reinvigorated dawn chorus shows the possibilities of “a future where people and planet thrive”.
Said Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB:
“Birds have fascinated people throughout history, from some of the earliest cave paintings to today’s most popular wildlife documentaries. For many of us seeing birds in our parks and gardens is our first interaction with wildlife, creating a lifelong connection with nature that highlights both the beauty and fragility of the amazing creatures with which we share our world.
“This wonderful exhibition by the brilliant Natural History Museum is a chance to discover more about the origins of the birds we see today and how we can all play a role in ensuring they continue to surround and inspire each future generation.”
Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre is running at the Natural History Museum’s Waterhouse Gallery from May 24, 2024 – January 5, 2025. Adult tickets start at £16.50 and entry is free for members. RSPB Members are eligible for a 20% discount when booking. Pre-book your tickets and find out more here.
📍 Waterhouse Gallery, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD. The nearest station is South Kensington.