Closing Jan. 8, 2017, Birds of Paradise takes visitors to an exotic virtual rainforest in New Guinea to explore how the beautifully bizarre birds evolved, their show-stopping mating rituals and their rich cultural influence
Bye-bye birdie!In just a few short weeks, Birds of Paradisewill make its departure from the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on Jan. 8, 2017. Found only in New Guinea, the spectacular shape-shifting birds-of-paradise are among nature’s most beautiful and bizarre flying creatures. Developed by National Geographic and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Birds of Paradise marks the first-ever survey of all 39 species of these elusive birds. Visitors can embark on an exotic journey throughout a virtual rainforest in New Guinea to witness the spectacular plumage and dazzling dance moves of these sassy birds. Presented by Highland Capital Management, Birds of Paradise makes its only stop in Texas at the Perot Museum.
A science exhibition, art show and natural history display in one, Birds of Paradise follows the adventures of photographer Tim Laman and Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientist Edwin Scholes – who made 18 trips to New Guinea over eight years. The exhibition, born out of the duo’s important scientific achievement, highlights their groundbreaking research with new information about each of the 39 birds-of-paradise species, all photographed for the first time in history.
“It’s no surprise that these birds-of-paradise have sparked a social media craze – they are wild and magnificent, and people fall in love with them,” said Dan Kohl, the Perot Museum’s interim chief executive officer. “This exhibition offers something for everyone – from beautiful photography, artifacts and video to fashion, culture and the interactive ‘Dance, Dance Evolution’ where visitors can strut their stuff as they learn the signature moves of these unusual birds.”
Other interactives include “Ready, Set, Evolve,” a “Ladies’ Choice” game, bird call stations and artificial tree branches that visitors can manipulate to trigger video footage of different birds displayed on their perches. Guests can examine the bizarre courtship dances that the males perform to attract the females in what is truly survival of the sexiest. The first-ever video of the female’s point-of-view of the dances is shown, captured through an innovative use of equipment created by Laman and Scholes. Photos, videos, bird specimens and a kinetic sculpture of a riflebird also show the transformations that birds-of-paradise undergo to attract their mates and the various moves that make up their mating rituals.
Amid natural soundscapes and traditional wood carvings, the exhibition highlights the importance of birds-of-paradise to New Guinea. Maps and diagrams of the birds’ ranges across the country explain how its environment allowed the birds to adapt and evolve over time. Legends and folklore are shared from generations past.
HOURS. General hours of operation for the Perot Museum are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m.Sunday. On the first Thursday of the month, the Museum is open until 9 p.m. for its First Thursday Late Night public events.
Holiday and other special hours.The Perot Museum will close Dec. 25 (Christmas). The Museum will offer extended hours until 7 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 1, except for Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) when the Museum will close at 3 p.m. and Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) when the Museum will close at 5 p.m.
Member mornings. From 9-10 a.m. every Saturday and 11 a.m.-noon every Sunday, members can enjoy exclusive access to the Perot Museum and Birds of Paradise.
TICKETS. Museum general admission is $19 for adults (18-64), $12 for youth (2-17), $13 for seniors (65+) and free for children under 2. Museum general admission is free for members.
Birds of Paradise requires asurcharge for a total admission cost of $27 for adults (18-64), $19 for youth (2-17), $20 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2. Member tickets are $6 for adults (18-64) and $5 for youth (2-17) and seniors (65+).
The Perot Museum is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas, Texas. For parking information and other details, visit perotmuseum.org or call 214-428-5555.
About the Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The top cultural attraction in Dallas/Fort Worth and a Michelin Green Guide three-star destination, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a nonprofit educational organization located in the heart of Dallas, Texas, with campuses in Victory Park and Fair Park. With a mission to inspire minds through nature and science, the Perot Museum delivers exciting, engaging and innovative visitor and outreach experiences through its education, exhibition, and research and collections programming for children, students, teachers, families and life-long learners. The 180,000-square-foot facility in Victory Park opened in December 2012 and is now recognized as the symbolic gateway to the Dallas Arts District. Future scientists, mathematicians and engineers will find inspiration and enlightenment through 11 permanent exhibit halls on five floors of public space; a children’s museum; a state-of-the art traveling exhibition hall; and The Hoglund Foundation Theater, a National Geographic Experience. Designed by 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne and his firm Morphosis Architects, the Victory Park museum has been lauded for its artistry and sustainability. To learn more, please visit perotmuseum.org
About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit membership organization driven by a passionate belief in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world. We fund hundreds of research and conservation projects around the globe each year. With the support of our members and donors, we work to inspire, illuminate and teach through scientific expeditions, award-winning journalism, education initiatives and more. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.org.
About the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit, member-supported organization with the mission to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Founded in 1915, the Lab is supported by 50,000 members and engages 200,000 citizen-science participants and 6 million bird enthusiasts who connect online at allaboutbirds.org. As a proud unit of Cornell University, the Lab has a leading team of faculty, educators, conservation scientists and engineers continuing a strong history of excellence in science, technological innovation and outreach. Learn more at birds.cornell.edu.
