Natural Science Collection

Collection

With around 250,000 specimens, our collection is the largest resource of its type in the West Midlands, covering modern biodiversity and the history of life and our planet. It is the best single collection to represent the changing biodiversity of the West Midlands counties over the last 200 years, and tells the story of the relationship between the people of Birmingham and the natural world.

Please be aware that objects from our collections are not always on public display. 
If you are hoping to view a specific object or collection, please check the ‘Highlights' or 'What to See’ pages on our venue websites for current display information for that venue. Alternatively, feel free to contact us before your visit.

The collection is made of these categories:

Birds eye view of the ichthyosaur bones arranged into a skeleton.

Earth science

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Side view of a grey wolf with its head bowed

Zoology

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A bird on the stump of a branch. It has a russet breast and blue-grey head and wings. Its tail is long and white

Ornithology

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A smooth, large beetle. Its body, legs and pincers are dark brown, its legs are black

Entomology

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A large piece of cream-coloured coral. It's made up of several finger-shaped branches all joined together

Invertebrates

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Piece of paper with a dried mossy plant taped to it, a hand written panel is below

Botany

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