Avian Taxidermy: Bridging Biodiversity Conservation and Artistic Expression

Written by Yula Kim from the MA Museums and Galleries in Education

All images are reserved by Yula Kim 

My research at UCL IOE investigated the value of preserving historical objects, i.e. avian collections housed in natural history museums from earlier periods. My inquiry centred on three aims to enhance avian collections’ critical roles in these cultural institutions: 

  • To highlight the essential role of natural history collections in supporting current efforts in biodiversity conservation.
  • To examine the impact of colonisation on global ecosystems, with emphasis on how colonial expansion and intellectual influence have shaped and disrupted endemic species and habitats.
  • To bring these perspectives together, by emphasising the unique significance of avian collections from past eras, particularly their roles in scientific research and historical analysis. 

This research was inspired by my work as a practising artist combining theory-based literature and creative formats, including painting. In my creative practice, I bridge the natural world and urban spaces through vivid colours, as well as abstract and figurative shapes inspired by nature, birds, buildings, and dynamic spatial arrangements. My aim is to visually convey my philosophy on human interaction with nature, particularly our desire for ownership and connection. 

Birds, in this context, represent the symbol of migration, adaptation, as well as biodiversity and the delicate balance within ecosystems, embodying the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Through this approach, I explore the emotional and conceptual ties between humans, animals, and environments, emphasising life’s intrinsic value. Inspired by birds and their cultural significance, I seek to create a narrative of coexistence, blending human and non-human elements with historical and artistic references. 

To expand my MA research in a practical and artistic context, I have held two solo exhibitions, Soaring (2023) and Resonate (2024), each highlighting the significance of birds in reflecting and reinforcing these relationships

Photos below are from my previous solo show Soaring (2023) and Resonate (2024). The paintings of the Hawaii ‘ō’ō and the Huia at the bottom, were included in Resonate (2024).

Research approach

My research on avian collections combined a range of different activities and methods including historical analysis, document analysis, field observation and conservation work: 

  • I reviewed historical sources between Western exploration and ornithological collections in America, Britain, and Polynesia; from Cook’s Polynesian voyages and the introduction of birds-of-paradise to Europe to demonstrate how colonial exploration shaped the intellectual drive behind avian collection, laying the foundations for museum collections. I explored the shift from colonial acquisition to conservation-focused museum practices, preserving both historical perspectives and biodiversity. 
  • Next, I engaged in critical analysis of online museum publications from institutions in America, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand searching how avian collections highlighted their role in the biodiversity conservation and ethical reflections on human-nature relationships. 
  • I performed field observations at the Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre exhibition about avian exhibition and its context about today’s biodiversity concern. 
  • Finally, at Natural History Museum Tring’s Ornithology Department, I conducted avian taxidermy conservation research, particularly on the extinct huia from New Zealand and the Hawaii ‘ō’ō, examining curatorial strategies to convey both historical and biodiversity conservation messages.

What did I learn from each engagement and what is its significance?

My research has fostered reflections on the impacts of human progress through birds and bird collections.

Birds have played a significant role in shaping art and scientific development in numerous places. From their symbolic representation in paintings to their contributions to biological discoveries—the understanding of reproductive systems through eggs, the development of vaccines, the study of migratory patterns, and the invention of aircraft—birds have been pivotal to advancing human knowledge.

Hawaii OO’s taxidermy at the American Museum of Natural History’s Department of Ornithology

My research enabled me to understand the core roles of birds to examine our past, and present histories and biodiversity changes. Human activity during colonial expansion significantly altered natural systems, often with devastating ecological consequences. The introduction of alien species, such as invasive predators and disease vectors, was particularly harmful to endemic species. Deforestation for economic expansion destroyed critical habitats, while excessive poaching for profit or scientific research commodified wildlife, often driving species to extinction. These interventions highlight a specific and problematic dynamic: colonial pursuits frequently treated ecosystems as resources to exploit, disregarding their fragility and the intricate relationships within them.

Image credited to Yula Kim from Hawaii OO’s taxidermy at the American Museum of Natural History’s Department of Ornithology 

Bird collections can evoke how unchecked human progress, driven by economic or scientific ambitions, can lead to the loss of life and biodiversity. Moreover, they challenge the critical evaluation of the historical commodification of animals and human’s interventions in shaping ecosystems. By reflecting on these histories, we can gain critical insights into the fragility of biodiversity and are better equipped to adopt sustainable practices to conserve it for the future.

Image credited to Yula Kim: Diorama of Kauai OO’s taxidermy at the American Museum of Natural History 

Museums as a place to understand colonialism and extinction of culturally important species

At the present time, museum collections highlight the enduring impact of colonialism on biodiversity and emphasise the social responsibility of museums in promoting conservation. 

Examining the avian collections available—especially huia and ‘ō’ō, driven to extinction by colonial expansion—provided me with insights into how these specimens revealed the cultural priorities and environmental disruptions tied to colonial activities. For instance, the extinction of ‘ō’ō birds in the Hawaiian Islands is largely attributed to the introduction of invasive species such as mosquitoes, cats, and rats by European migrants during the era of exploration. These invasive species disrupted the natural balance, introducing diseases and preying on native wildlife. Extensive poaching of ‘ō’ō birds also occurred, with their skins collected for museum displays to showcase these ‘exotic’ creatures as symbols of the regions explored.

Image Credited to Yula Kim: Huia’s taxidermy at the Natural History Museum Tring’s Department of Ornithology 

The ‘ō’ō birds held significant cultural importance to Native Hawaiians, as they were considered sacred and precious. Their feathers were central to traditional Hawaiian featherwork, such as ʻahu ʻula (Hawaiian feather cloaks) and feathered headdresses worn by royalty. These crafts symbolised power and spiritual protection, embedding the ‘ō’ō birds deeply in Hawaiian cultural and historical identity. The artistry and rarity of these creations also drew European interest, further fuelling the collection of bird skins as part of a broader fascination with exploring the ‘exotic’ nature of the islands and acquiring knowledge and resources to claim new territories.

Similarly, the extinction of huias in New Zealand is thought to have resulted from a combination of factors. Western settlers heavily targeted these birds due to the cultural value of their tail feathers, which became highly sought after in fashion and as symbols of prestige. Large-scale deforestation to clear land for farming destroyed their natural habitat, and extensive collection of huias for scientific research—driven by the desire to categorise and study life in newly-discovered territories—further contributed to their decline.

Today, numerous examples of these bird species are preserved in museums across Britain, America, and other regions. Displayed in taxidermy-skin format, as my research shows, these specimens provide valuable opportunities to examine the ecological and historical contexts of their native habitats and to reflect on the human activities that contributed to their extinction. These collections now provide a deeper insight into the environmental consequences of colonialism, including its role in disrupting ecosystems and commodifying wildlife. This analysis can reshape our understanding of colonial history, illustrating how the birds collected during this period represent both cultural and ecological significance, while also serving as evidence of the scientific and environmental upheavals of the era. Avian collections can thus encourage audiences to engage in ethical reflections on human impact and biodiversity conservation. 

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