Hummingbirds are some of the most beautiful and fascinating birds in the world. Their bright colors, incredible speed, and ability to hover in midair make them a joy to watch. Many people wish they could preserve these special birds after they die so they can continue to admire their beauty. This raises the question – can you actually taxidermy a hummingbird?
Taxidermy refers to the practice of stuffing and mounting the skins of dead animals for display. It involves carefully removing the skin and feathers of the animal and mounting them over an artificial body form. This gives the preserved animal a lifelike appearance. Taxidermy was first practiced in ancient Egypt over 2000 years ago and became popular among European nobles during the Middle Ages. Today it remains a common way for hunters and collectors to preserve prized animals.
So is it possible to taxidermy hummingbirds? The short answer is yes, it is certainly possible, but also extremely challenging. In this article, we’ll look at the difficulties of preserving hummingbirds through taxidermy and examples of successful hummingbird taxidermy. We’ll also overview good practices for ethically sourcing hummingbirds for taxidermy.
The Challenges of Hummingbird Taxidermy
Hummingbirds present several unique challenges for taxidermists:
Their Extremely Small Size
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world. The Bee Hummingbird holds the record as the world’s smallest bird, averaging just 2 inches long and weighing 2 grams. Even larger hummingbird species max out around 8 inches in length. This tiny size makes every aspect of hummingbird taxidermy very delicate work. Carefully removing the skin without damage takes precision. Constructing an accurately sized body form is difficult. Even mounting the skin and feathers requires the steadiest of hands. The work must be done under magnification. Their small size leaves little room for error.
Their Bright Iridescent Feathers
One of the most beautiful features of hummingbirds is their brightly colored and iridescent feathers. The feathers contain tiny nano-sized structures that reflect light and create their rainbow-like hue. However, these delicate feathers are easily damaged. As feathers age, they lose their feminine layers, and the color dies off. This means the feathers must be expertly preserved quickly after death to maintain their color. The skin too must be treated carefully to avoid desiccation which fades the color over time. Masterful hummingbird taxidermy maintains those fragile vibrant feathers.
Their Long Delicate Bills
A hummingbird’s long slender bill is adapted perfectly for accessing nectar from flowers. But this delicate bill can be easily bent and broken during the taxidermy process if not removed and preserved with care. The bill comprises almost half the length of a hummingbird’s body. Leaving it undamaged while working with the tiny specimen takes great skill.
Maintaining Proportion and Realism
To create a convincing taxidermy specimen, the proportions and posture of the bird must mimic reality. Finding reference photos of the exact hummingbird species can help get the measurements and angles right. Forming the body precisely to match the unique shape of hummingbirds during the mounting process is vital. The feet must grasp a realistic perch. The wings should be posed naturally. Every detail must be perfect to achieve true-to-life realism with a bird so small.
Examples of Expert Hummingbird Taxidermy
While extremely challenging, there are examples of expert taxidermists successfully preparing hummingbird specimens:
The Work of Christopher Marley
Christopher Marley is a renowned taxidermist based in Florida who specializes in colorful exotic birds. He has created many exquisite hummingbird mounts. His pieces capture the precise feather colors and iridescence. He poses the birds in mid-hover with wings blurred as if in life. Tiny custom perches and habitats further the lifelike appearance. His work has been featured in museums, galleries, and publications. Marley’s hummingbird taxidermy demonstrates the pinnacle of skill possible.
The National Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History contains over a thousand taxidermy hummingbird specimens in their collection. These preserved hummingbirds allow researchers to closely study the birds and their adaptations. Members of the public can also view the precisely mounted hummingbirds on a visit to the museum to appreciate their beauty up close. The Smithsonian specimens set a high standard for scientific hummingbird taxidermy.
The Work of Taxidermy Studios
There are a number of taxidermy studios and individual artists working today that include hummingbirds in their services. Some will work from customer’s own specimens to create custom mounts. Others offer pre-prepared hummingbird mounts for sale. These pieces by seasoned professionals display excellent quality and workmanship. There are now more options than ever for ethically sourced, expertly crafted hummingbird taxidermy.
Ethical Sourcing of Specimens
An important consideration for modern taxidermy is ensuring any specimens are ethically sourced. There are a few ways to obtain hummingbirds for taxidermy in an ethical manner:
Using Legally Hunted Specimens
In locations where it is legal to hunt hummingbirds, properly licensed and regulated hummingbird hunting can provide specimens. This is an option in some South American countries. All applicable government laws should always be strictly followed.
Finding Natural Remains
Another source is naturally deceased hummingbirds found already dead. Only intact, high quality specimens should be preserved. The hummingbird should not be killed or interfered with while alive. All native wildlife laws regarding possession of found specimens must be followed.
Captive Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds that die naturally in zoos or captive breeding facilities can also provide legal ethical taxidermy specimens. Again, the birds should never be intentionally killed. Proper consent from the institution should be obtained first.
Vintage Taxidermy
Purchasing vintage hummingbird taxidermy is another way to avoid any possible unethical origins. Be sure to verify the age of antiques and that they were created before laws restricted the trade of wildlife. Repairing and restoring vintage mounts breathes new life into the pieces.
Ethical taxidermists will only work with properly sourced hummingbirds that died of natural causes or legal permitted hunting. Unethical collecting or killing of hummingbirds for taxidermy should never be supported.
Tips for Successful Hummingbird Taxidermy
For those looking to undertake hummingbird taxidermy, here are some tips for achieving the best possible results:
- Obtain clear reference photos of the species to guide the work.
- Carefully remove the skin following anatomical seam lines.
- Use extremely sharp small blades and scissors suitable for detailed work.
- Preserve the braincase if skull preservation is desired.
- Be very gentle handling feathers and small bones.
- Promptly treat the skin with insecticides and preservatives.
- Airbrush any faded feathers soon after skinning to restore color.
- Take time sculpting an anatomically accurate body form.
- Wire wings properly folded against the body before mounting skin.
- Use light clay or gel to position legs in a natural perched pose.
- Precisely align feathers and anatomy to achieve a realistic finished piece.
Patience and care is required at every step to master the preparation of hummingbirds. But the results can create stunning mounts preserving their unique beauty.
Conclusion
Although very difficult, it is certainly possible to successfully taxidermy hummingbirds. Specialized taxidermy techniques are required due to their tiny size and fragile feathers. Ethically sourced specimens must be used, either from regulated hunting, natural remains, or captive birds that died naturally. With extreme care and skill, talented taxidermists can prepare incredible lifelike hummingbird mounts as examples like Christopher Marley demonstrate. Preserved hummingbird taxidermy allows us to continue appreciating these birds and their awe-inspiring adaptations.
