Molted! The habitats of birds
04. October 2026
Bird Halls 29 and 30 at the Natural History Museum Vienna are shining in new splendor! More than 1,000 bird specimens were cleaned, spruced up, and in some cases even re-prepared in the run-up to the opening. The floors of the exhibition halls were renovated, the electrical systems updated, and the historic ceiling paintings as well as the original showcases were professionally restored.
[Translated by eTranslation]
The halls are dedicated to bird diversity in Central European and global habitats, ranging from the park right outside our door to high mountain ranges and Antarctica. They highlight the unique features and characteristics of both well-known and rare bird species, including their diets and lifestyles, habitat requirements, and roles in a wide variety of ecosystems. The elaborate lighting design was precisely tailored to the exhibits and their habitats.
The new galleries combine aesthetic presentation with substantive depth. The goal is to present birds as a diverse group of animals worthy of protection, whose significance and beauty hopefully will leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Hall 29 is dedicated to the basic introduction to the world of birds. The focus is on what actually distinguishes birds – from their common characteristics to their evolution and their importance in ecosystems. A special focus is placed on the most important habitats of Central Europe, such as cities, parks or floodplain forests. These are presented in connection with typical bird species, which are often found in these habitats in Austria. The focus is on the characteristics of the individual habitats as well as their ecological interactions with birds.
Hall 30 plays a special role within level 2 of the NHM Vienna. Thanks to its central location and access from three sides, it is ideal for opening up views beyond Central Europe. This room presents the most important habitats in the world – vividly staged, for example in dioramas to the Arctic or to globally important mountain fog forests. In addition to the colourful birds as the main eye-catcher and the impressive diversity of bird species worldwide, it also addresses global challenges, including the spread of deserts, the loss of habitats or the impact of human intervention on biodiversity. The hall thus combines aesthetic presentation with depth of content and invites you to deal with current environmental issues.
Press photos can be found here.
Inquiry note
Mag. Irina Kubadinow
Head of Press & Public Relations, Press Spokesperson, NHM Vienna
Tel.: +43 1 521 77-410
irina.kubadinow@nhm.at
Mag. Klara Vakaj
Press Officer, NHM Vienna
Tel.: +43 1 521 77-626
klara.vakaj@nhm.at
The halls are dedicated to bird diversity in Central European and global habitats, ranging from the park right outside our door to high mountain ranges and Antarctica. They highlight the unique features and characteristics of both well-known and rare bird species, including their diets and lifestyles, habitat requirements, and roles in a wide variety of ecosystems. The elaborate lighting design was precisely tailored to the exhibits and their habitats.
The new galleries combine aesthetic presentation with substantive depth. The goal is to present birds as a diverse group of animals worthy of protection, whose significance and beauty hopefully will leave a lasting impression on visitors.
The concept of the newly redesigned bird halls
According to the participatory master plan developed at the NHM Vienna, the bird halls have been fundamentally renovated and redesigned in terms of content. The aim was to present the diversity of bird life in a clear and up-to-date manner and to make it accessible to a wide audience.Hall 29 is dedicated to the basic introduction to the world of birds. The focus is on what actually distinguishes birds – from their common characteristics to their evolution and their importance in ecosystems. A special focus is placed on the most important habitats of Central Europe, such as cities, parks or floodplain forests. These are presented in connection with typical bird species, which are often found in these habitats in Austria. The focus is on the characteristics of the individual habitats as well as their ecological interactions with birds.
Hall 30 plays a special role within level 2 of the NHM Vienna. Thanks to its central location and access from three sides, it is ideal for opening up views beyond Central Europe. This room presents the most important habitats in the world – vividly staged, for example in dioramas to the Arctic or to globally important mountain fog forests. In addition to the colourful birds as the main eye-catcher and the impressive diversity of bird species worldwide, it also addresses global challenges, including the spread of deserts, the loss of habitats or the impact of human intervention on biodiversity. The hall thus combines aesthetic presentation with depth of content and invites you to deal with current environmental issues.
Press photos can be found here.
Inquiry note
Mag. Irina Kubadinow
Head of Press & Public Relations, Press Spokesperson, NHM Vienna
Tel.: +43 1 521 77-410
irina.kubadinow@nhm.at
Mag. Klara Vakaj
Press Officer, NHM Vienna
Tel.: +43 1 521 77-626
klara.vakaj@nhm.at
