Stuffed Redhead

[Set n Hooks]

I tried to taxidermy my own Redhead. Tell me what ya think.. It's my first attempt, so don't be too harsh. I just need to find a nice piece of wood to use. Pictures arent the best..

[benbosh]

well hate to break it to ya but thats a redhead not a canvasback

[strait-meat]

i was thinking the same thing---it is a redhead--a Can would be bigger and have a nice big nose on it.

[BucksnDucks]

ouch that'll sting alil

[Set n Hooks]

Oh yeah... My bad.. I got confused, I was thinking the canvasback had the yellow eye and the redhead had the red eye..

[ironman]

Not bad for your first try, the tail should be fanned out and the legs...if flying...should be straight back. Of course if you intended on having it as it was landing then the feet would be down and spread. Its fun though isn't it?

[Set n Hooks]

I was thinking on have the feet on the wood, with the wings still spread out.. Thanks for the advice! And yes its very fun.. Im only 15, so someday I hope I could make a career out of it..

[goetler]

I think that you did a great job for your first bird! How hard was it to do?

[dukhnt]

Nice job. Keep at it and they will only get better. My dad and I tried to mount a goose for a high school biology project. Needless to say it went in the garbage. Good luck!

[Gordie]

great job for your first one atleast your atemmting to try it your self alot of people wouldnt even think of it. thumbs up from me. hope you can make a go of it.

[Scott M]

Setn, looks good. Maybe order up some different glass eyes to go with the driftwood and you have a very nice looking duck for the wall.

Care to tell us how you did it?

I think it looks pretty sharp for the first time. It will only get better. You might have found a nice hobby.

[jigginjim]

How did you learn how to do a duck? What did you use to fill the body? and how did you defat and degrease the skin? Not to bad, as with all taxidermy work. References are the biggest key. Maybe we'll see each other at a taxidermy convention.

[Set n Hooks]

I tought myself, kinda.. Was interested in doing a fish so saw a video of the on youtube, and just thought of what so do next as I went. I used to skin out raccoons and rabbits when I was a young'n, I think that helped too.

First, I seperated out the feathersin the middle of the breast. Cut in and slowly worked the skin out. Peeled everything inside out up the the neck and cut the neck out up to the skull, and leftjust a little bit of skull, cleaned everything. Took a fleshing knife and took at the fats and excess off. Put Borax everywhere. Filled it with fiberglass insulation and put stiff wires through it to keep the head propped up. Wires through the feet and wings. The wire going through the wings is exposed but since that side wouldn't show, I didnt bother going through the extra work. Stitched everything back up.

[Scott M]

Got a ringer pair to try this on...maybe I'll try a tweety bird like a starling first.

[luckycrank]

I am no expert at taxiing waterfowl but dabble with it here and there.

I have taxied mallards, woodies , teal ,ringbills scaup I have found that buffies are real forgiving and easy to control due to their size,

search taxidermydotnet lots of good people and info and tips as well as referance.