Christopher Searle had 21 dead birds stored in jars and 16 live wild birds at his home in Braunton, Devon.
He also admitted a charge of not providing the wild birds with a suitable environment and a similar charge relating to two doves, seven hens, a cockerel, two cockatiels and two pigeons.
Searle further admitted a charge of possessing four drop traps and a spring trap and two charges of not providing a rabbit and a pigeon with an adequate diet.
He said his client had suffered from mental illness for the past 40 years and asked magistrates to allow time for a pre-sentence report to be done.
Magistrates agreed and the case has been adjourned until April 11.
The birds found in his possession included greenfinches, chaffinches, a bullfinch, a goldfinch, a woodpecker and a song thrush.