I'm a beginner too, and here's a tip that has helped me: Study your bird! Before skinning, play around with it (carefully of course.) Move the head and neck in different positions, look where the wings and legs sit on the body, etc. After skinning the bird, use its body to compare with the mannikin you'll be using. I usually like to make my body a little smaller than the bird's body, but pay attention to where the leg and wing bones go. Now look at the bird's skinned head and neck. Take a piece of paper, position the head and neck in different positions, and trace it. If you need some help with your birds, please try these things. When you study the bird's anatomy, the finished mount will look much better. I started paying attention to the bird's "gutts", and it makes all the difference in the world!
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