Specimen preparation - Bird taxidermy

Photo Galleries | Updated 7 years ago

Bird specimen is weighed using a spring weight in the laboratorySpecimen is weighed
Image copyright WA Museum bird specimen is inspected for any damage in the laboratory by museum staffspecimen is inspected for damage
Image copyright WA Museum DNA sample of muscle tissue in a tube of ethanolDNA sample is taken
Image copyright WA Museum Bird specimen is carefully cut open using a scalpel by taxidermistIncision is made along breast bone
Image copyright WA Museum Taxidermist uses a scalpel to remove skin from viscera in the laboratorythe skin is carefully pulled away
Image copyright WA Museum Taxidermist examines birds head after brain and eyes are removedEyes and brain removed
Image copyright WA Museum Inscion at back of head is sewn together using needle and threadInscision is stitched up
Image copyright WA Museum Artificial body is made with cotton wool wrapped around a stick by taxidermistArtificial body constructed with cotton wool
Image copyright WA Museum Bird specimen is stuffed with cotton wool by taxidermistCotton wool placed inside specimen
Image copyright WA Museum Incision on belly is stitched up after specimen has been stuffed with needle and threadInscision is stitched up
Image copyright WA Museum A label with collection information is tied onto bird specimen's legData tag and registration number attached
Image copyright WA Museum Finished bird taxidermy specimen is placed into position with wings folded to drySpecimen is placed out to dry
Image copyright WA Museum

An Australian Kestrel skin is prepared for the Ornithology research collection. WA Museum preparator, Mr. Gomez, performs taxidermy on the bird specimen by removing the viscera, leg and wing muscles, eyes and brain and replacing with an artificial body of cotton wool. During the process important information is recorded such as the collection date and location, age, sex and weight of the bird.