Birds of Vermont Museum

The Birds of Vermont Museum displays more than 495 hand-carved wooden birds housed in a building set on 100 acres of protected bird sanctuary with forest trails. The collection is arranged in multiple exhibition spaces that represent different natural settings and seasonal conditions.

Bob Spear founded the museum in 1987 after decades of crafting wooden bird carvings for educational use. His lifelong work creating these detailed sculptures became the foundation of this institution.

The carved birds represent species that inhabit Vermont, giving visitors a direct connection to the wildlife they might encounter outdoors. The exhibits with dioramas help people understand the different habitats where these birds live and make their homes.

The museum is open May through October from Wednesday to Sunday between 10 AM and 4 PM, while winter visits require advance arrangements from November through April. The grounds with forest trails allow visitors to spend time both inside the exhibition building and exploring the protected sanctuary outside.

Each wooden carving was created using exact biological measurements of real Vermont bird species, capturing the actual size and shape of birds found in the region. This precision transforms the collection into a scientific reference tool beyond being simply artistic displays.