How to Care for your Bird Mount
Once you've received your Bird Mount from Frozen in Flight Taxidermy there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your bird. Each bird is a fragile specimen to be handled with care.
Place
Placement in your home is critical.
- Low light, ideally 50 Lux.
- Out of Reach of Children
Avoid
- Direct Sunlight
- Flourescent lighting
- Air Ducts
- Fireplaces
Bright light exposure will fade feathers in just a few days, and air ducts can make birds very dusty.
Clean
- Once a month, dust with a feather duster.
- Brush with feathers toward the tail.
Monitoring
Inspect the mount for insect damage regularly, especially in late spring and summer. Silverfish and moth larvae can destroy feathers quickly. Dermestid insects, such as carpet beetle larvae, are notorious for eating museum collections.
In case of an insect problem, you can place the bird in a plastic bag and freeze it for several weeks, then let it thaw in the bag so any remaining eggs hatch, and freeze it again.
Dust Cases
A dust case can be custom made for standing mounts to help prevent exposure to dust and insects. Each mount is assembled and secured in the best possible fashion.
Historic Taxidermy Mounts
- Must be handled with utmost care
- Are best kept under glass
- May contain toxic materials
- Mask and gloves should be worn when handling and dusting.
For more information on feathers and their care, see wikipedia and the Bishop Museum pdf handout for the care of feathers.
Enjoy
Most of all, remember to sit back and enjoy the wonderful details and coloring of your bird.
Call 804-38-BIRDS for more information.
Frozen in Flight Taxidermy is located in Richmond, Virginia and serves hunters, bird collectors, and museums in the Southeast and USA.