I'm a beginner in taxidermy and never mounted ducks with artificial feet or bill. I have a Common Goldeneye (Drake) that I will be mounting. I have a Drake Goldeneye birdhead with eyes by Cory Caruthers and Mohr Redhead MDF7 duck feet from WASCO.
I took out frozen bird and looked at the bird's head and the bill's V-notch on artificial bill more of a sharp V and real bill more of a round "V" shape. Do I cut the skin and feathers to match? Also, the feet are much larger on the Goldeneye compared to the artificial Redhead feet which are more like a Puddler's. The rear toe has no extra flesh of a diver. Also, the toes are too short and webs too small. Feet ordered had number 7 on the bottom. Do I have the right feet? What should I do about ordering bills and feet in the future.
I appreciate any information anyone can provide me with to the above. And I look forward to sharing the outcome with you.
Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu
Dale, your problems are common with birds. Each manufacturers art. duck heads are a little different in some ways. Some are not close on one bird and right on with the next one. Experience is your best teacher here. on the notch you can usually adjust it a little by moving the skin around. Test it before you glue. Why the art. feet? Try masters blend or some other injection fluid on the real feet after you mount the bird or remove the feet, wire,fit to manikin,fit to base, inject and place on base to harden. Now paint them before you mount the bird. Don't be afraid to try different ways to do things as you learn. Of course you need to have fun doing it. Enjoy, My best to you, Jim
Thank's Jim. I haven't done taxidermy in many years and thought artificial was the way to go now days.
I have another question and hope you can direct me in the right direction...when should I use artificial head or feet? I have always used natural. Could I remove the feet from the frozen bird..defrost, put into position and inject the feet using polytranspar injecta-cast? And, how long before airbrush painting? I am using polytranspar water base paint.
Thanks again.
Dale,
Remove the feet,usually during skinning so you can keep the bone attached, wire up to form, put in desired position, inject..you can wait a couple hours, overnight or a week depending on what you inject with..I prefer masters blend and I paint the next day after cleaning with acetone. Paint the artificial bill, paint the feet..mount it and it is pretty much done. No disturbing feathers to protect from overspray etc..makes it alot easier.
Mike