ORNITHOLOGY
The
Department's collections contain over 97,000 study skins, flat skins,
mounts, skeletons, spread wings, plumage samples, alcohol-preserved specimens,
and frozen tissues, plus over 10,700 egg and nest sets and over 4,000
sound recordings. Our specimen holdings represent 29 orders, 140 families,
and over 1250 genera and over 3500 species. The collections represent
over 100 countries, all 50 US states, 27 Mexican states, and 12 Canadian
provinces. The collections are renown for their extensive holdings of
birds from Ecuador & the Galapagos islands, consisting of more than
9,700 specimens, including over 6,000 geospizine finches that have been
the subject of several landmark studies. Other important collections include
extensive holdings from Mexico, China, Panama, Costa Rica, the Philippines,
the Solomon Islands, eastern Africa, and Myanmar (Burma). The majority
of our specimens come from throughout the western US, including large
collections from Arizona, Alaska, and from every county in California,
as well as from the Farallon Islands. Strengths in our bird collection
lie primarily in our extensive holdings of seabirds, waterfowl, raptors,
and passerines. The collections also include many type specimens, as well
as specimens of species which have become extinct in the last two centuries.
Studies
of birds and collection of avian specimens began with the inception of
the California Academy of Sciences on April 4, 1853. Preeminent ornithologist
James G. Cooper was appointed as Curator of Zoology in 1862, Henry Chapman
and Ferdinand Gruber were appointed as the first Curators of Ornithology
and Mammalogy in 1891. From its early years until 1906, the Academy amassed
an amazing collection of some 25,000 birds, and thousands of mammals,
which were housed in the Academy's facilities on Market Street. The earthquake
and ensuing fire of April 18, 1906 destroyed the Academy's museum and
nearly all of the bird and mammal specimens. Of the thousands of specimens
contained in the department, only two, the type specimens of the Guadalupe
Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma macrodactyla), were saved from the burning
rubble of the collapsed museum by the heroic efforts of Leverett M. Loomis.
But even as the Academy lay in ruins, the nucleus of the new Department
of Ornithology and Mammalogy was being born.
The Academy's
1905-06 Galapagos Expedition returned to a devastated San Francisco after
a 17-month trip along western Mexico and the Galapagos Islands with 8,718
bird specimens, as well as numerous mammal specimens. Within the first
decade after the 1906 earthquake and fire, the new Department received
thousands of additional bird specimens donated or collected by museums
and naturalists from around the world. The Academy mounted several more
expeditions throughout western North America. By 1910, the collection
had grown to 18,000 bird specimens. Much later, large collections of birds
were transfered to us from Stanford University, San Francisco State University,
and Santa Rosa Junior College.
MAMMALOGY
The
mammal collections contain over 30,000 specimens of study skins, pelts,
skulls, skeletons, frozen tissues, and alcohol-preserved specimens. Our
holdings currently contain more than 1,000 species from over 450 genera,
representing over 110 families in 24 of 26 mammalian orders. These include
specimens from over 70 countries, 49 US states, 26 Mexican states, and
9 Canadian provinces. Aside from our extensive holdings of mammals from
the western US and Canada, we have important mammal collections from China,
Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, eastern Africa, the Philippines, and Australia.
Currently, we are developing new collections from southwestern China,
Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, South Africa, and Sao Tome & Principe.
Our strengths
lie largely in our vast holdings of marine mammals (4800+ specimens),
including the world's largest collection of California Sea lions (Zalophus
californianus, 2300+ specimens), and California sea otters (Enhydra
lutris nereis, 750+ specimens). We also have large collections of
harbor seals (Phoca vitulina, 480+ specimens), Steller sea lions
(Eumetopias jubatus, 230+ specimens), northern fur seals (Callorhinus
ursinus, 190+ specimens), southern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris,
160+ specimens), and harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena, 300+
specimens), as well as hundreds of other seal, sea lion, porpoise, dolphin,
whale, and sirenian specimens. These specimens make our marine mammal
collections one of the largest in the world. Our holdings of terrestrial
mammals are strong in Chiropterans (bats), and rodents, especially Sciurids
(squirrels), as well as in carnivores, bovids (especially antelopes),
and marsupials. In addition to our specimens, our bioacostics library
contains thousands of audio recordings of mammals, including the Poulter
Collection of marine mammal sounds.
The
origin of the mammal collection began with the inception of the California
Academy of Sciences on April 4, 1853. Henry Chapman and Ferdinand Gruber
were appointed as the first Curators of Ornithology and Mammology in 1891.
From its early years until 1906, the Academy amassed an amazing collection
of thousands of mammals from California and around the world, including
many species now extinct. The earthquake and ensuing fire of April 18,
1906 destroyed the Academy's museum and collections facilities on Market
Street, including all the mammal specimens. Within the first decade after
the fire, the new Department received new mammal specimens donated from
or collected by museums and naturalists from around the world, and the
Academy mounted several more expeditions throughout western North America.
Additional expeditions to the Galápagos Islands, Mexico, and the
Far East formed the core of the new mammal collections. Much later, large
collections of mammals were transfered to us from Stanford University
and San Francisco State University.
TYPES
OF PREPARATION
WET/FLUID
PRESERVED COLLECTION
Traditional
methods of specimen preparation often meant that only the skin, and perhaps
skeleton, of a specimen was prepared and curated into museum collection.
This meant that the musculature, organ systems, and other soft tissues
of a specimen were often discarded. However, new and developing research
techniques requiring more of the specimen are becoming increasingly important.
In that respect, our collections have been making more whole fluid-preserved
or 'wet' specimens. This entails the 'fixing' or initial preserving of
a specimen in formalin or ethanol, then storing it in a jar of ethanol
for long-term curation. The result is the preservation of a complete specimen
with all of the original anatomical structures, both internal and external,
entirely intact. This allows for examination of organs and other soft
tissues, as well as its plumage, by researchers who study such aspects
as biomechanics, diet & feeding ecology, reproductive biology, adaptive
physiology, comparative anatomy, and parasitology.
SKINS
The
most common, and perhaps most traditional, way of preparing a bird or
mammal specimen for long-term curation is as a study skin. This basically
means that the internal organs, musculature, and most of the skeleton
of the specimen have been removed, and the internal body cavity filled
with cotton. This method leaves the complete outer skin with fur or feathers,
along with the distal portion of the legs and feet, the distal limb bones,
and the anterior skull with the beak if (it's a bird); if the specimen
is a mammal, usually the terminal foot bones remain in the skin. When
the skin is prepared, the aim is to maintain the original shape and size
of the original specimen. In most cases, the wings are folder against
the body as the bird would when resting, or the limbs of a mammal are
extended. However, some newer preparations leave the wing extended so
that the feathers and feather tracts can be seen more easily. In some
cases where a specimen is not suitable for a complete study skin, sometimes
just the spread-wing and or tail is prepared, with the rest of the specimen
being prepared in a different manner, such as a skeleton.
SKELETAL
The
Department's collection of bird and mammal skulls and skeletons is extensive,
and our collections of mammalian postcranial skeletons is of particular
importance. Often in conjunction with preparation of a study skin or pelt
is the preparation of the specimen's skeleton. In mammals, it is possible
to prepare a study skin and extract a nearly complete skeleton, but in
birds, preparation of a study skin leaves an incomplete skeleton. Even
incomplete skeletons are valuable, and are usually prepared. If some specimens
are damaged or would otherwise not make good study skins or pelts, they
often become complete skeletal preparations. During the course of preparation,
the skeleton often comes apart and the bones are disassociated from each
other. This is called a disarticulated skeleton, and is particularly useful
when scientists need to study individual bones from an animal. If the
preparation procedure results in the bones being connected in their original
order, that is called an articulated skeleton. Such a specimen allows
scientists to study the interrelationships of bones as a complete skeletal
structure, and to better understand the skeleton as a mechanical system.
Bones are essential tools for those who study systematics, biomechanics,
evolutionary morphology & adaptation, paleontology, and identification
of animal remains from archeological sites.
Related
Sites:
Collecting
skulls, and the Skulls! exhibit
LOAN
POLICY
Most
specimens from the Department of Ornithology and Mammalogy are available
for loan to reputable individuals from other recognized research institutions,
museums, government agencies, and colleges. We do not loan research
specimens as teaching material, and loans are not made to the general
public. General inquiries about specimens in the collections can be
made directly to the collections manager. Birds
and mammals are perhaps the most protected and regulated groups of living
organisms, which makes collecting additional specimens difficult or impossible.
Added to this are state, federal, and international laws governing ownership,
transfer, and disposition of research material, which place more restrictions
on the collection and use of our specimens. Because we adhere to such
laws and fully realize the intrinsic scientific value and unique importance
of every specimen in our care, all loans of specimens must be consistent
with our loan policy. Failure to comply with our loan policy may result
in loss of loan privileges.
1.
Loan request should be made on paper bearing the letterhead of the researcher's
institution, and mailed to the collections manager.
Loans are to be signed by the person actually using the specimens, and
loans will not be made to someone acting for a third party. Graduate students
must make the loan under the name of, and be co-signed by, their primary
graduate advisor. Visiting or adjunct professors must have their loan
cosigned by their department chairperson. Please be specific about the
type and number of specimens needed, and how they are to be used.
2.
Loans are made with the understanding that all specimens will be used
for scientific and/or educational purposes, and that the receiving institution
has all the necessary and current permits to possess these specimens in
accordance with state and federal laws.
3.
All loans must involve research that is not invasive, damaging, or harmful
to the specimens. Care should be exercised when handling specimens; never
pick up specimens by their tail, feet, beak, or tag. Catalog and/or data
tags are never to be damaged, modified or removed from the specimens.
Study skins are in no way to be dissected or modified. If samples for
genetic, isotopic, or chemical research need to be taken, please contact
the collections manager directly, and please
read clause #9 (below) carefully. Dissections made on fluid preserved
specimens may only be conducted after a valid scientific justification
is presented and with the approval of the collections
manager and/or department chairman.
4.
Once specimens are received by the accepting institution, all care should
be taken to house and secure the specimens in an area which is pest-free,
has low humidity, is out of direct sunlight, and is not accessible by
personnel other than the researcher. Sent separately from the specimens
will be a loan form listing all of the specimens that were shipped. Please
confirm that all specimens arrived safely, and sign and return the appropriate
loan form acknowledging the receipt of specimens.
5.
Loaned material can not be forwarded to a third party. If specimens are
needed by an individual other than the principal researcher, the material
must first be returned to the California Academy of Sciences and a separate
loan can be arranged.
6.
Loans are for a period of six months, but if specimens are needed for
a longer time, loan renewals are possible. Such requests must be made
within a month of the end of the loan period. If the specimens are requested
by another researcher at the end of the loan period, a renewal may not
be possible. The Department of Ornithology and Mammalogy reserves the
right to request return of specimens at any time.
7.
No more than half the number of specimens from any species or subspecies
will be loaned at one time. If all the specimens of a species or subspecies
need to be examined, loans of half the specimens will be made, and the
second half can be sent once the first half have returned. If we possess
a single specimen of a species, it cannot be sent on loan, but it will
be available for study in the department.
8.
Type specimens, specimens from the Galápagos Islands, bird nests
& eggs, and specimens of extinct species are not to leave the department,
and can not be loaned to researchers. However, feel free to contact the
collections manager about making arrangements to visit the Academy and
study these specimens here.
9.
Destructive Sampling: The Department sometimes grants permission for researchers
to take tissue samples from study skins, but only after approval from
the Chair. Loans must follow the general rules of our loan policy, plus
the additional clauses below:
a) The researcher must forward a justification of why samples need
to be taken along with a comprehensive sampling protocol before any sampling
is done. Also, the researcher must provide data or results from previous
testing to show that their methods are valid and produce adequate results.
b) Any destructive or invasive sampling (skin, feathers, etc.)
of specimens must take place at the Academy, and specimens cannot be sent
out on a loan for sampling. Because of prior incidents involving extensive
damage inflicted on some specimens that were sent for sampling, all such
sampling must take place under the supervision of Ornithology & Mammalogy
Department staff.
c) A loan of such samples will be indicated as a 1 year loan, with
no samples to be returned if they are completely destroyed during testing
or analysis. However, after the first year, all unused samples must be
returned to the Academy at the end of the loan period, and must be placed
in separate containers with the original catalog number clearly marked.
Samples or subsamples of specimens taken from this institution MAY NOT
be accessioned into another institution under a different catalog number.
10.
Endangered or threatened species of mammals and birds covered under the
most recent CITES list can be sent only to other institutions that possess
a current CITES Certificate for Scientific Exchange. If the borrowing
institution is not covered by such permits, other arrangements will need
to be made. Check with the collections manager in such cases.
11.
Because of increasingly complex laws regarding trans-border shipment of
specimens and specimen parts, and the reality that seizure of specimens
by a government agency through misinterpretation of laws does happen,
loans via mail to countries outside the U.S. are generally declined by
this institution. However, we fully welcome international researchers
to visit the collections and examine our material in person.
12.
State of California regulations require us to notify users that some specimens
may contain chemicals deemed harmful by title 8 section 5214 of the California
Code of Regulations. Some bird and mammal skins prepared before 1950 may
contain minute amounts of inorganic arsenic trioxide. Alcohol-preserved
specimens may have been fixed in formalin, and residual amounts may remain
in the specimen. These substances have been identified as potential cancer-causing
agents. However, research specimens are not marked as to which have or
lack such substances, so care must be exercised when handling all specimens.
13.
When loaned specimens are returned, care must be taken to pack and ship
them in a manner which maintains the maximum level of safety and protection
for them. Each specimen should be individually wrapped or boxed, given
ample padding, and shipped in a durable cardboard, plastic, or wooded
shipping container that is resistant to crushing. A list of specimens
to be returned should be sent separately from the parcel containing the
specimens.
14.
The Department of Ornithology and Mammalogy reserves the right to seek
financial compensation for specimens that are lost or destroyed while
in the possession of those responsible for the loan. Any legal fees incurred
in attempting to regain overdue loaned specimens, or to gain financial
compensation for lost specimens, will be at the cost of the borrower.
Additionally, the Department of Ornithology & Mammalogy reserves the
right to refuse loans or use of material by unqualified researchers or
by researchers who have abused loan privileges, or have lost or damaged
specimens.
15.
Any publications or documents using samples derived from Academy specimens
must cite the CAS catalog number for the specimen. If data obtained from
our research specimens is used in a published report, thesis, or a scientific
article, please acknowledge the Department of Ornithology and Mammalogy,
California Academy of Sciences. Additionally, we request a reprint or
photocopy of any such article when it becomes available.
If there
are any additional questions or concerns regarding specimens or loan policy,
please contact the collections manager.
DEPARTMENT
VISITS
The
Department of Ornithology and Mammalogy is not open to the general public,
but during the Annual California Academy of Sciences Open House, Academy
members can visit the department, meet the staff, and examine some of
the scientific specimens during the yearly behind the scenes tour. Please
contact the Membership office for details.
Individuals
with specific needs may have access to study specimens within the collections
if plans are made in advance. Entrance to, and use of, the collections
is free of cost to researchers, graduate & undergraduate students,
educators, government scientists, and artists. Commercial users, such
as for-profit environmental firms, archaeological companies, advertising
agencies, and the entertainment industry, may be levied a nominal charge.
Please contact the collections manager directly
with a request to visit the collections at least one week prior to arrival.
Such studies should be conducted during normal operating hours, weekdays,
9am - 5pm. Visits on weekends, or long-term visits must be organized through
the collections manager and/or the department
chairman.
Location,
Address, and Directions
Please click HERE
for a link to other Bird & Mammal
collections in California
museums.