Have just bought an old Magpie that has been in a heavy smoking enviroment. Thus the feathers are very brown from i presume nicotine, is there some way I can clean this bird to restore some of its color glory.Thank you
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......In a glass case so that it can't get dirty........Too late for that now. But since it's a protected bird here in the US and is illegal to buy, sell or posess without the proper permits, you really can't display it much anyway. Since you didn't say anything about having permits, I will assume that there AREN'T any.
Now for the good news. Birds in that shape are pretty much impossible to really clean, so you won't have to pay anyone to do it!
As a general member of the public I contacted this site as I thought it might be a Professional approach. Wrong. Thanks for the reply and the ASSUMPTIONS. I live in England and the bird was bought at a large sale of taxidermy items, any bird that required a certificate or permit had it with it. The Magpie has sentimental value to me and my wife that was why we got it. It only needs a general clean and some ADVICE would be appreciated.
......Next to IMPOSSIBLE to clean. I think that I made that pretty clear! Since YOU didn't make it clear where you were from, the assumption would be that you are in the US. This site has been up and answering questions for over 5 years, hardly a week goes by without a question about illegal birds. There is also a SEARCH button on the left of your screen. An inquiry for "cleaning birds" would yield the same information I gave you.
Ive had some success with useing acetone or a similar mineral spirits product. Get some papper towels, fold so that thier flat, wet with the acetone, and gently wipe the bird with the feathers. You dont want to wash them by submerging in water, it with just fall apart. It wont be completely clean, but should be a lot better than it was. Good luck