History
The ornithological collection spans two centuries of ornithological research and collecting. Alexander Koenig, the founder and director of the museum, began collecting birds in the 1870s. His bird collection, in particular the collection of bird eggs, became the nucleus of today's Museum Koenig. As an enthusiastic collector, Alexander Koenig (1858-1940) invested both his fortune and his personal commitment in expanding the bird collection and growing the museum as a research institution. Since then, there have been extensive phases of growth through the acquisition of large private collections. The exchange of specimens and personal collecting contributed to both the multiplication of the collection and the expansion of specimen series.
Collection
The majority of the ornithological collection consists of dry preserved specimens. It currently comprises around 76,000 bellows, 9,000 mounted birds, 8,000 skeletons, 14,000 feather bows and Germany's largest egg collection with around 85,000 eggs. A further 1,700 bird nests and several hundred specimens in alcohol are also part of the collection. Referenced partial samples of organ or tissue material are stored in the museum's biobank. The type specimens in the ornithological collection represent 322 scientific bird names. The geographical focus of the collection is on the Palaearctic, the Afrotropics and the Neotropics. Taxonomically, finches (Fringillidae), weavers (Ploceidae) and hummingbirds (Trochilidae) are very well represented. Of considerable scientific importance are local series (bellows, feathers, eggs), which represent informative cross-sections of the variation in characteristics of bird populations at a particular place at a particular time. With the help of modern methods of analysis, these series enable comparative studies with present-day populations at the same location. The ongoing digitisation of the collection also facilitates the physical and digital retrieval of specimens and their accompanying documentation.
Research
The Ornithology Section is currently focussing on collection-based research in the fields of systematics, taxonomy, phylogenetics and zoogeography of birds using combined comparative methods (molecular genetics, morphology, ecology). However, our research is not limited to the museum's collection. It also includes field work focussing on the Horn of Africa, which complements the museum's existing research and collecting tradition in Afrotropical ornithology. The focus of these studies is on endemic bird populations with limited or isolated distributions. Such research can only be carried out in close cooperation with regional partners, from universities to non-governmental organisations.
Related collections
Contact person
- Deputy Head of Department Vertebrata
- Head of Section Ornithology
Phone: +49 228 9122 246
E-Mail: t.toepfer@leibniz-lib.de
Projects
Brain structure and activity patterns of birds
Management: Dr. Till Töpfer
Provenance research at the Museum Koenig
Management: Dr. André Koch
Publications
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2025/1
A high-quality reference genome for the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) enables investigations of cell cultures as a genomic resource for endangered species
2024/9
Museomics help resolving the phylogeny of snowfinches (Aves, Passeridae, Montifringilla and allies)
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 198
2024/8
Exkursion in den Kaukasus: Der CaBOL BioBlitz 2022 in Armenien und Georgien
2024/8
Nesting behavior, egg morphology, and breeding biology of Harwood’s Spurfowl (Pternistis harwoodi) in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia
Journal of Field Ornithology, 3, 95
2023/4
A Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus from an Uyghur well in Karabalgasun (Ordu-Baliq), Central Mongolia
Journal of Global Archaeology, 6, 2023
2022/0
Ein historischer Nachweis einer Sperbereule Surnia u. ulula aus Hessen
Vogelwarte, 60
2022/0
Ornithologische Studien in Äthiopien
Koenigiana, 16
2021/0
Brief remarks on the phenotypic variability of White-shouldered Triller Lalage sueurii in comparison to White-winged Triller L. tricolor
BirdingASIA, 61
2021/0
Is there an undescribed martin (Hirundinidae: Riparia) in Ethiopia
Bull. Afr. Bird Cl, 28
2021/0
Mögliche Winterbruten des Tannenhähers Nucifraga c. caryocatactes
Vogelwarte, 59
2021/0
Nachhaltigkeit im Sammeln und Forschen in biologischen Sammlungen
rheinform, 01/2021
2020/3
Towards a European raptor specimen bank in support of contaminant research and monitoring for better chemicals management
2020/0
Authenticity in natural history collections: reflections from a zoological research perspective
RGZM – Tagungen, 42
2019/10
Correction to: Progress on bringing together raptor collections in Europe for contaminant research and monitoring in relation to chemicals regulation
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26
2019/7
Progress on bringing together raptor collections in Europe for contaminant research and monitoring in relation to chemicals regulation
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26
2019/1
New breeding records and observations of the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus minor from Ethiopia
Scopus: Journal of East African Ornithology, 1, 39
2019/0
Dioramas of Marine Bird Colonies: History, Design, and Educational Importance
Natural History Dioramas–Traditional Exhibits for Current Educational Themes: Science Educational Aspects
2018/0
BONN: Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig in Bonn: Transformation of a Classical Natural History Museum of the Nineteenth Century into a Biodiversity Research …
Zoological Collections of Germany: The Animal Kingdom in its Amazing Plenty at Museums and Universities
2017/11
Evaluating the conservation status of the Black-fronted FrancolinPternistis atrifrons
Bird Conservation International, 4, 28
2017/6
An expanding hybrid zone between Black-headed and Red-headed Buntings in northern Iran
Ardea, 1, 105
2017/2
Revising the phylogenetic position of the extinct Mascarene parrot Mascarinus mascarin (Linnaeus 1771)(Aves: Psittaciformes: Psittacidae)
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 107
2016/3
Further notes on the natural history of the Ethiopian Bush-crow Zavattariornis stresemanni
Bulletin of the African Bird Club, 23
2016/0
Erste Brut des Zwergsägers Mergellus albellus in Deutschland im NSG Krickenbecker Seen, Kreis Viersen
Charadrius, 2, 51
2015/0
Notes on the behaviour, plumage and distribution of the White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis
Bulletin of the African Bird Club, 22
2014/8
Facial skin provides thermoregulation in Stresemann’s Bush-crow Zavattariornis stresemanni
Presented at the 26th Internafional Ornithological Congress, 18
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Employees
Dr. Till Töpfer
ztm Ornithology Bonn ScientistPhone: +49 228 9122 246
E-mail: t.toepfer@leibniz-lib.de