Visit the Cowan Tetrapod collection at the Beaty Museum to see birds, as well as reptiles, mammals and amphibians. With over 40,000 specimens representing over 2,500 species, the collection is the second-largest scientific collection of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians in British Columbia.
As the continued safety and well-being of our visitors, staff and volunteers is our highest priority we are not offering in person tours or activities at this time. The resources below will support your self-led exploration of the collection:
- Learn to identify local Vancouver birds using this guide, and keep track of your observations using this bird log.
- Colour in a Vancouver bird, the black-capped chickadee with this colouring page.
- In this activity, you will explore the form and function of different bird beak shapes using household objects.
- Complete a bird-themed scavenger hunt in the museum.
- We have an online visitor guide and a printable floor plan map to help you find your way around the museum. You could also check out our virtual and audio tours in preparation for your visit.
- Share your images and biodiversity stories with us here, each month we will highlight some of the contributions at our ONLINE Nature Club session.
Would you like to learn more about birds and ask questions of our museum team? Join us online on March 7.
This self-led exploration of the museum collections is recommended for families with children ages 5-12.
Thanks to our funders we are able to provide complimentary museum admission to campus families on Nature Club weekends. UBC Families can register for this month’s Online Nature Club for your free ticket promocode, other families are welcome to join us by registering in advance, and purchasing a museum admission or using your membership.