Bird Taxidermy (WARNING:Not for the easily offended, overly squeamish, holier that thou, fuss-bucket.)

This is an instructable inspired by canida's mouse/rat taxidermy. For more information on detailed taxidermy, go search "mouse taxidermy" and you'll probably find it.

to start off, I would like to say:

THIS IS GRAPHIC, THIS HAS GUTS, THIS HAS DEAD (and live) ANIMALS, so please, keep the comments on topic and dont stray into the purely bashing morality.

I will accept moral standings, because I believe in freedom of speech, but please... be mature. if not, you will be bashed with a twinkie.
thankyou, and enjoy. :)

Step 1: Getting your items

you will need cotton balls, borax/cornmeal mixture (for absorbancy), scissors, nail scissors, exacto knives (or box cutters, anything really sharp), wire, thread, a needle, and a dead bird.

oh, and chickens. but they're optional. you'll see later.

Comments

[mholsinger-stitt]

Zrcalo...do you sell your completed works? If so, what is the price? I'd like to start making various dioramas with various small taxidermy but don't want to do the taxidermy myself if possible. Thanks!

[Zrcalo]

My e-mail is [e-mail] if you're interested in purchasing some.
I have a baby chick I did a while ago I might sell. I also occasionally sell on ebay. If anyone is interested in some pigeons I will probably sell them starting @ $40 ea. Depending on colour, etc. I can also do some house sparrows for $35ea. None will have eyes, as glass eyes are a bit pricey but if you just want them for crafts and stuff, totally willing to do some skins for people.

[phunyfarm]

Whoops! I just stuck a bluebird my cats killed in cornmeal for six weeks.

The cats had eaten most of the insides, the exterior looked good enough for a first try. I AM COMPLETELY AMAZED @ the results.
Was looking for tips on wiring, was so excited w/ my leetle experiment I HAD to tell somebody..... I'll try this way when I get the guts to kill a cardinal just for me.
This is a fun way to decorate, just fun period Weird huh???

[Zrcalo]

If you live in the united states, bluebirds and cardinals are 100% illegal to own and kill.

[phunyfarm]

Did not know that. It makes sense. My 20# barn cat cannot be held accountable. We do call him Ambush though...Thanks for the info..

[bbuckley1]

Good post, however it is important to note that state and federal game law should be followed when choosing a species to taxidermy. Inca doves may be everywhere but they can not legally be "taken" by hunters or anyone. These birds are protected under the migratory bird treaty act and should not be a choice for taxidermy unless you have a species collection permit. Rock doves (pigeons) are a perfect choice. They are exotic and invasive species that have very few predators and are free to be harvested throughout the US (as long as you don't shoot them with a shotgun in town).

[Zrcalo]

:) I am well aware of this! My college professor has a license to collect and own native specie birds with my university. We were practicing taxidermying certain species in his collection. He had many inca doves so that was my practice specimen.

[IRtaxi]

wouldnt it be easier if you used the bones for stuffing?

[Zrcalo]

Bones do not have the muscle structure on them.. Also you want the stuffing to be soft and maleable.

[IRtaxi]

such as he kull mostly?

[hunterdude1024]

instead of putting cotton could you sew it 3 quarters of the way or so then spray insulation foam in it?

[Zrcalo]

I wouldnt use insulation foam because it is sticky and expands too much... you would have a very difficult time getting the right form for the bird and keeping the feathers from getting icky.

[help_us_lisa]

lmao this made me laugh so hard... just picturing the poor bird over puffed with spray foam... I don't have an answer for you though but im assuming no because it dries hard, does it not? again- totally uneducated guess here lol but I kinda hope it works.

[Canadacupcakekiller]

Thank u for making this!!! I'm a VERY armature taxadermist. Did u take out the skull? Or just try your best to hollow it out?

[Zrcalo]

:) I hollowed it out and left the skull in.

[fcote1]

Fernand Cote · Employer at Self Employed (Business)
Specialized in Skinning - Meat cut & Wrap - Fleshing - Tanning - Taxidermy. http://www.mastertaxidermist.ca

Seeing your display was nice experience to be added towards my works. Thanks.

[surroundsound5000]

I got interested in it when I found a dead bat; taxidermed and mounted it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/surroundsound5000/5380298528/

Now looking for ideas on how to do it properly. Thanks for the well illustrated 'ible!

[mitch and sean]

Is thet were the foots meant to be?!?!

[mitch and sean]

And there's the chicken eating the bird... WAIT WHAT!?!?!?

[mitch and sean]

You need a MASSIVE Nobel prize either way.

[mitch and sean]

There's that chicken that could be headless if I was there

[mitch and sean]

Umm are you a girl cause I saw nail polish. If you are then you deserve a Nobel prize.

[mitch and sean]

At first I thought that you were holding a gun to it's chest!

[mitch and sean]

If the chicken is in the way chop of it's head it's easier (except for the nerves making It run around smashing into stuff)

[dominator027]

Who the hell would want to learn how to stuff a bird!!!!

[wenpherd]

Me.

[iquinn]

A lot of people.

[tictaclad]

the real question is why are you on this instructable if you dont want to??

[spearairsoft_bravo]

me!

[Greg C.]

Me.

[PikminRed]

Your mother.

[cowscankill]

me

[Zrcalo]

anyone who wants to preserve the natural beauty of an animal in all 4 dimensions (including time) for future generations.

[James (pseudo-geek)]

"Bird Taxidermy (WARNING:Not for the easily offended, overly squeamish, holier that thou, fuss-bucket.)"

[JMB]

anyone who shoots a nice bird and doesnt feel like paying a professional to do it great instructible i will try

[Zrcalo]

:) I know, thats exactly what I'm here for!

[Loveofchaos]

dove season opened today! i might have to try this, hope a shotgun wont mutilate the bird too badly

[mitch and sean]

Lol...lol...lol

[Zrcalo]

actually it will, unless you knock the bird out or break it's neck. my cat killed this bird, and still it was hard to taxidermy because of puncture wounds.

[Loveofchaos]

hmm bb gun? we do have some pretty stupid doves...