TAXIDERMY

What is Taxidermy?
Taxidermy is a general term describing the many methods of reproducing a life-like threedimensional representation of an animal for permanent display. In some cases, the actual skin (including the fur, feather an scales) of the specimen is preserved and mounted over an artificial armature. Taxidermy can be done on all vertebrate species of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, and amphibians.

METHODS IN TAXIDERMY
Taxidermy specimens can be saved for later used by freezing. A traditional method that remains popular today involves retaining the original skull and leg bones of a specimen and using these as basis to create a mannequin made primarily from wood wool (previously tow/hemp wool was used) and galvanized wire. Another method is to mold the carcass in plaster, and then make a copy of the animal using one of the several methods.

A final mold is then made of polyester resin and glass cloth; from which a polyurethane form is made for final production. The carcass is then removed and the mold is used to produce a cast of animal called a form. Forms can also be made by sculpting the animal first in clay. Glass eyes are then usually added to the display, and in some cases, artificial teeth, jaws, tongue, or for some birds, artificial beaks and legs can be used.

 An increasingly popular trend is to freeze dry the animal. This can be done with reptiles, birds, and small mammals such as cats, large mice and some types of dogs. Freeze drying is expensive and time consuming. The equipment is expensive and requires much upkeep. Large specimens can be required to spend as long as six months in the freeze dryer, although it is the preferred technique for pets. Freeze dried animals, though, may later be susceptible to being eaten by carpet beetles.

HOW TO TAXIDERMY A BIRD

Things Youll Need

Measuring Tape Scalpel Latex gloves Sharpened spoon Dishwashing liquid Blow dryer Heavy wire Twine Needles Small log WD40 Fine wire Masking tape Super glue Insect pins Liquid crystal

Steps IN BIRD TAXIDERMY

1. This is the starting point - all details regarding cause of the birds death are logged . It is then tagged and many measurements are taken to help when reconstructing the bird at a later stage.

2. An incision is made in the bird's breast to allow the body to be removed. The skin holds the feathers just like our hair is routed into our skin.

The Skin is pealed back until the legs and the wings can be detached.

4. The fully skinned bird - all the fat excess tissue and flesh is removed. Note the feather tracts, these are where the feathers grow from. The leg and wing bones are kept but all flesh is removed.

5. The original body and the reconstruction made from wood wool, is now ready to be attached to the head, wings, legs and tail of the bird.

The bird is being washed and de greased ready to be dried.

7. The taxidermist now Dries the bird 's feathers ready for assembly.

8. Wire is run down the legs and wings with appropriate binding to replace missing muscle, the wings and legs are then attached to the body and the bird is sewn up then positioned on a base.

9. All the feathers are realigned and set in their natural order - some damaged feathers can also be replaced at this stage. This is where the skill and time come in skip this stage and the item of taxidermy can look poor.

10. The Taxidermist now arranges the bird into a natural pose . All the measurements taken earlier are now re-introduced to create a life like look.

11. The bird is positioned on a rock or log and start to work on the pose. The Taxidermist may at this stage use a cast rock or log to mount the bird on.

12. The bird is set in the required pose and bound to keep the feathering in the correct position until the skin has set (a week or two). The taxidermist will need to paint the fleshy areas as they will not hold there color. Bird Taxidermy should be cased to keep it at its best.