One of essentially the most mind-bending details in regards to the pure world (for me at the very least) is the truth that there are animals round within the current day that additionally existed alongside dinosaurs. They’re the ultimate survivors and have developed all through time to thrive all throughout Earth. As a consequence, there are some really beautiful, and significantly wacky, birds on the market. And the Natural History Museum needs to rejoice all of them, from the curious to the attractive and all the things in between, with their upcoming exhibition, Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre.
Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre, which opens on May 24, 2024, is the primary NHM exhibition to deal with our feathered pals in 20 years. In affiliation with the Royal Society for
the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the exhibition hopes to light up the unbelievable 150 million-year historical past of those vastly diversified creatures. How a lot do most of us know, in any case, in regards to the birds behind the birdsong, and the animals that fill the sky?
What to anticipate from Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre
You’ll be capable of really feel how briskly a hummingbird’s coronary heart beats throughout flight, sniff the unusual oil that’s utilized by one chook to guard its eggs, and extra. The specimens on show will embody ‘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 will 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 long run
There may also be a deal with the threats that birds now face. Given the impression of people on our planet, we now have a job and accountability to guard birds. The exhibition hopes to encourage guests to really feel empowered to take motion and defend the way forward for our feathered pals. This sees the NHM seeking to the long run with a imaginative and prescient of the UK in 2050. The sound of a reinvigorated daybreak refrain will present the probabilities of “a future where people and planet thrive”.
Said Beccy Speight, chief govt 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 will run on the Natural History Museum’s Waterhouse Gallery from May 25, 2024 – January 5, 2025. Adult tickets begin at £16.50 and entry is free for members. RSPB Members are eligible for a 20% low cost when reserving. Pre-book your tickets and discover out extra here.
📍 Waterhouse Gallery, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD. The nearest station is South Kensington.
