Obtaining the best specimen for the taxidermist

Once in a while one may obtain a rare specimen worthy of preserving. The bird may prove to be an interesting example and talking point which you may wish to have mounted by a taxidermist. Examples of such can be seen in the following photographs.

All above pictures from:  http://www.crowbusters.com/oddities.htm

To date I have come across crows with white wings, brown wings and three greycrows with white wings but have had the opportunity to photograph one:

If such a specimen is acquired it is important to keep the bird in as good condition as possible to aid the taxidermist in produced a worthy prized mount. 

Steps to obtaining the best specimen for mounting:

1. Carry a bag to the field to transport specimen ( not plastic, which accelerates decomposition by retaining heat) Any bag that air can circulate through is ideal.

2. Have a roll of kitchen roll.

3. When specimen is obtained wipe most of the blood, mud etc. from the carcass. Then wrap any area that may bleed with kitchen roll to avoid spoiling feathers. Then loosely wrap the whole bird in kitchen roll. When cool put in a bag to transport home. Ensure the car heater is not blowing near the bag on the journey - keep the bird as cool as possible.

When at home remove from bag and clean any extra blood that may have seeped onto feathers. Put in a freezer bag and freeze as soon as possible. This gives you plenty of time  to contact a taxidermist as the carcass can remain in the freezer for a long period.

Wounded birds

If an unusual bird is wounded and still alive one must be extremely careful in dispatching it. The objective is to kill the bird as quickly and humanely as possible. Hitting it on the head with a 'priest' can damage the delicate head feathers which are extremely difficult to repair, especially if the crown of the bird is torn during the exercise.

The best way of despatching a wounded bird and ensuring that the carcass remains undamaged is to hold the bird by the tips of the two wings. Then with your other hand use the open hand to come in from behind the birds back. As you arrive at the birds back  gently close your thumb and forefinger, one under each of the birds armpits.  Exert and keep  tight pressure under the birds arms, squeezing until the bird is dead. Death is almost instant if great pressure with the fingers is exerted and there is no damage to feathers. It would be no harm to practice this method on wounded birds to be proficient with it when, if ever, an unusual bird is obtained.