The ASNHC Bird Collection totals approximately 2,500 specimens. The primary geographic area of representation is the western Edwards Plateau of Texas. A minor collection from Guyana, South America, is also present. A significant portion (about 35 percent) of the collection is of teaching material (zoo or pet trade specimens). The collection was established in 1968 and remained relatively small for 20 years. Within the last decade, collection organization has formalized and the rate of specimen addition has accelerated.