How Century-old Specimens Reveal New Birds

Join ornithologist Andrés Cuervo, director of Colombia's National Bird Collection, for an engaging talk about how museum specimens tell surprising stories. Early 1900s expeditions to Colombia's Santa Marta mountains brought countless bird specimens to Carnegie Museum—many identified as entirely new species. One owl specimen sat in the museum's collection for over a century before finally being named in 2017. Through this seminar, you'll discover why these century-old collections remain scientifically valuable and how researchers continue finding new species today. Cuervo will explain his ongoing work revisiting the original collecting sites across Colombia, where he and his team have observed that birds are changing in size and shape as climate and landscapes shift. He'll discuss what these changes reveal about human impact on wildlife. This free seminar is perfect for families curious about natural history, ornithology, or how museums contribute to scientific discovery. You can attend in person at the Museum of Art Theater or join online via Zoom—no museum admission is required. Registration is recommended to secure your spot.