Johnson Center for Birds and Biodiversity

First Floor

Select a region of the floor plan to learn more.

Bioacoustics Research Program

This research program develops new techniques for censusing and tracking wildlife populations, including birds, whales, and elephants. BRP staff develop computer software and equipment used by scientists around the world to study animal communication and to monitor the health of wildlife populations.

Evolutionary Biology Program

In the molecular lab of our Evolutionary Biology Program, researchers use state-of-the-art DNA technology to study everything from mating behavior to how birds are related to one another.

Teaching Lab

Cornell and outreach classes held in our new teaching lab cover ornithology, ichthyology, herpetology, animal behavior, and many other areas of animal study.

Museum of Vertebrates

These vertebrate collections comprise a grand reference library of biodiversity, invaluable to researchers and students around the world.

Specimen Prep Room

Here, curators prepare animal specimens for study by researchers and educators alike. The specimens are then kept in the collections.

Fish Collection

More than 1.2 million fish specimens from over 70 countries are stored here and used for research.

Amphibian and Reptile Collection

This collection houses approximately 40,000 amphibians and reptiles representing all of the major families of these important animals.

Bird Collection

Bird skeletons and bird skins are kept here. Our collection includes extinct species, such as Carolina Parakeet, and exotic species from far-away lands.

Macaulay Library

The Macaulay Library houses the world’s largest collection of animal sound recordings and a rapidly growing collection of animal videos. Animal voices used to produce our highly acclaimed audio guides are taken from this collection. ML is used by animal behaviorists, conservation biologists, educatorsc�anyone with a need for first-rate animal sound recordings.

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is open to the public during Lab hours. People of all ages are invited to visit. Tour groups and other large groups, please schedule your visit in advance by calling (800) 843-2473. Visits are self-guided.

Williams Gallery of Art

Gracing the walls of the observatory are paintings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes and other renowned bird and wildlife artists.

Fuertes Room & Auditorium

Known among birders as the “Sistine Chapel of Birding,” the Fuertes Room is a replica of the library of Frederick Brewster, who donated it from his mansion. The room features original artwork by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, one of the world’s great bird artists. Adjacent to the Fuertes Room is the Auditorium, where our beloved Monday-night Seminar Series is held and where an Object Theater presentation features the Lab’s research, education, and conservation work, including how you can become involved.

Morgens Observatory

Enjoy views of Sapsucker Woods pond and the Treman Bird Feeding Garden through an expansive wall of windows. Experience the sights and sounds of birds in the Bartels Family Multimedia Theater. Find out what it’s like inside a real sound studio, like those used by our Macaulay Library staff.

Test your knowledge of birds and learn more about them by visiting all of our interactive exhibits and interpretive panels, located throughout the Visitor Center.

Wild Birds Unlimited

Choose from an extensive selection of optics, books, audio guides, jewelry, clothing, and other gifts for bird enthusiasts of all ages. Lab members receive 10% off all purchases made at WBU at Sapsucker Woods.