I've recently skinned out a Cardinal (I have the appropriate permits), and I'm getting ready to finish the head and invert the skin again. Does anybody have a suggestion for material for filling the brain cavity and attaching the neck? On larger birds I've use Apoxy and it worked out nicely but the skull is so thin on this bird that I'm afraid I could damage it trying to get that in there. I've heard that some like to use hot glue, but I'm concerned that it will eventually lose its "stickyness" and let go of the neck. Any ideas?
Tuck
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I use bondo when I mount a bird with the natural skull. It works great on larger birds...don't see why it would be a problem on smaller birds.
If you have lightly dusted the properly cleaned skull the hot glue will lock itself in. Once cooled the glue fits the interior configuration perfect it wont come looose or come out, hasnt in any of my birds ..
I mount a lot of songbirds each year, in sweden they are legal to mount ad possess if found dead. I usually fill the skull with apoxie sculpt, run the wire right through the head skin when mounting (no, I never do this on big birds)if you cut the wire flat against the head and lift the skin free of the wire you can move it around when adjusting the head feathers. The small hole will not be visible. The wrapped neck will be inbedded in apoxie and when this hardens, the head will be rock solid. I also add a little caulk in the neck after inserting the wrapped neck, for lubricating and filling. this also holds the head when dried. Another tip: caulk eliminate sewing on this small guys. Just smear caulk around the breast/belly area and a little extra in the sides, pull the skin together and when dried, it wont move. I also use caulk in the wings. No extra support needed exept a pin in each wing. Also very easy to shape.
This works on birds up to the size of a magpie. Good luck to you/BS
If the brain cavity is cleaned and dry, a glob of "Goop" in the brain cavity will anchor the neck wire. If the bird is not to be handled, that is if it is on permanent display in a protective case or cased exhibit, there is no need to use any glue or gel at all. Once dry, the skin alone will support the fragile skull. A wad of cotton can be used to fill the cavity in that case.
If your cavity is clean and you fill it completely with hot glue, who cares if it unbonds from the skull...it still won't move or come out. In any case you need something that will dry hard to anchor that neck wire to. I prefer hot glue because it flows into all the nooks and crannies and doesn't require jamming the stuff in there and risk breaking the skull. When you fill the skull, hold onto the outside with a damp/wet cloth. This way it helps keep the skull cool and you won't burn your fingers. Once almost filled with glue, insert the neck wire (with a looped end) into the skull up to your neck wrap. Hold it in place for a few minutes until hard and then you can reinvert and sew up the breast. At this point you can rotate the head without fear of the neck becoming dislodged, by using a long needle probe and inserting it into the hard glue, through the skin while also twisting the wire/neck.