The collection is extremely strong in diversity of island species throughout the world and contains contains significant historical collections of importance. Representative collections of the magnificent Birds of Paradise (Passeriformes; Paradisaeidae) and Bower Birds (Passeriformes; Ptilonorhynchidae) have been described as within the top 10 in world by researchers. The study skin collection contains one of the largest collections in the world of extinct birds including 132 Passenger Pigeon specimens (skins) and New Zealand Huias famed for their sexually dimorphic bills. The skin collection contains historically significant holdings of the highly endangered Hawaiian Honeycreepers and the famous Darwin’s finches.