Tutorial - Setting wings

[txoutdoors]

I am seeing a lot of new folks on here that seem to be struggling with getting the wings set the way that they need to be, so I thought I would put something together that might help.

Here are a few photos of the skinning process. Please note that there are what I call "hard connection points" where the skin meets the body. These points are on the front (shoulder) and back (armpit) of the wing.



After you skin the bird, these points are no longer connected and the wing skin tends to slip away from the body and towards the end of the wing. These must be put back in place during the mounting process. This can be done by grabbing the leading edge of the wing and pulling it towards the body, then pin in place.

The next 2 photos show what pinning will do. Notice the difference in the position of the scaps on the pinned side vs the non-pinned side. Also note the leading edge of the wing on the pinned side vs the non-pinned side. When the skin is positioned properly, you will get a nice crisp leading edge and the scaps will pull in towards the body.



This might not be the way that everyone does things, but I find that it helps me so I thought I would post and hope it helps someone else.

Here is the finished product.

After everything is positioned and I am not going to be moving it any more, I pull the pins and groom the feathers around where they were. It will stay in place if your not moving things around.

Thanks,
Dan

[SingsWithRavens]

HOLY MUFFINS! This is incredibly helpful!
Thank you! C:

[papagoose]

wow now i know why i have had issues with those dang wings thank you never knew to do that will be giving it a try

[txoutdoors]

Thanks for the feedback.

A few more suggestions for you.

1) Do this for every bird, regardless of position. Even a standing bird has these natural connection points. Pull the wing skin and pin at the base of the humerus, then fold the wing.

2) Before skinning, open the wings and note the natural range of motion of the wings. Note the bone placement as compared to the body.

Here is an example......look at the position of the wing bone in this diagram in relation to the body. I was told once, that the humerus should typically not be more than 45 degrees out from the body. I have to admit that I never checked that info against the actual range of motion, but it's stuck in my mind and using that rule of thumb has really helped me from over-extending the wings. I actually have a habit of folding the wings almost completely, then opening them to the position I want. That really helps in getting things right.

Here it is on a live flying bird.


Again these are things that I do that has helped me and everyone has a different style. Would love to see some other ideas of things you do to get your wing set right.

[bucksnort10]

thanks for taking the extra effort to help others !
it is all much appreciated

[John Helm]

This is a great help.  You bring up some things I wouldn't have thought of.