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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Observing ornithology collections in a whole new light. Hear from #NightTales featured artist Maggie West about capturing these exquisite specimens for our new activation starting next month. — go.nhm.org/maggie-west

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

@nhm.org

“For NightTales, I interviewed Dr. Allison Shultz, Associate Curator of Ornithology, about the birds featured in the show. We talked about the conservation and research happening within the Ornithology department and how scientists use specimens to better understand environmental changes."

4/10/26, 6:45 pm0 reposts2 likes

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

@nhm.org

"I also learned a lot of weird bird facts. For example, Harpy Eagles, like the one pictured [below], are the largest species of eagle and are known to prey on monkeys."

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

@nhm.org

"Apparently this particular specimen used to be mounted in the museum with a dead monkey clutched in its talons, but was taken down and hidden in the back until he was ready for his neon debut."

QUAX World

@quaxworld.art

The specimen moved through three regimes: scientific evidence, dramatic display, then storage—and neon makes a fourth. That history is part of what visitors are seeing, even if invisible. Will NightTales mention the earlier monkey tableau or let the object arrive as a new character?