The Ornithological Collection

The ornithological collection comprises more than 1,700 specimens, approximately 1,000 of which come from Doderlein’s original collection. Noteworthy are species that have gone extinctin Sicily, such as the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), the Purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), and the Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus). The latter two have been successfullyreintroduced in Sicily in recent years. Visitors can also observe endemic taxa such as the Sicilian rock partridge (Alectoris graeca whitakeri) and protected species like the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).