Preserving a deceased hummingbird can be a meaningful way to memorialize a beautiful creature. However, properly preserving a hummingbird requires care and planning to achieve the best results. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about preserving a dead hummingbird.
Why Would You Want to Preserve a Dead Hummingbird?
There are a few key reasons why someone may want to preserve a deceased hummingbird:
- Memorialize a beloved pet or wild visitor – If you had a pet hummingbird or a wild one you regularly saw, preserving it after its death can help you remember it.
- Display its beauty – A preserved hummingbird can be a decorative display that allows you to continue appreciating the bird’s striking colors and graceful form.
- Study its features – Preserving a specimen allows you to closely examine features you may not have been able to see when it was alive, like the detailed structure of its feathers and feet.
- Use in artwork – Some artists use preserved specimens as models for paintings, drawings, or other artwork.
Is it Legal to Preserve a Dead Hummingbird?
In most areas, it is legal to preserve a deceased hummingbird for personal purposes. However, there are some regulations to keep in mind:
- In the United States, it is illegal under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to possess any parts of a native wild bird, including feathers, without special permits. This includes hummingbirds.
- If the hummingbird was a pet bird that you owned, preserving it after its death is legal without permits.
- Some states have additional rules about possessing animal parts, so check your local regulations.
- You cannot sell or trade any parts of a preserved wild hummingbird across state lines without federal and state permits.
The rules can be complex, so it’s best to fully research the legality of preserving a hummingbird specimen in your specific area before proceeding.
How to Preserve a Dead Hummingbird
If you want to legally preserve your own pet hummingbird or have obtained any required permits for a wild specimen, here are some options for preservation:
Taxidermy
Having the hummingbird professionally stuffed and mounted by a taxidermist provides the most life-like result. This involves carefully removing the skin and preserving it with chemicals, then stuffing it with cotton and using wires and wooden forms to recreate the bird’s shape. The taxidermist will also recreate the eyes and beak to meticulously replicate the bird’s appearance in life.
DIY taxidermy
With some supplies and training, it’s possible to DIY taxidermy a small bird at home. This involves skinning the bird, treating the skin with borax or cornmeal to dry it, sculpting a body form from wood and wire, and carefully mounting the preserved skin on the form. The eyes can be replica glass eyes or small beads.
Freeze-drying
A preserved hummingbird can also be created through freeze-drying, which involves freezing the deceased bird and then placing it in a vacuum chamber to remove all moisture. This leaves the body completely desiccated but intact. A freeze-dried hummingbird retains its general shape and features but with less detailed dimensional realism than taxidermy.
Skeletonization
To preserve just the skeleton, the bird can be buried in an area with high ant traffic for several weeks. The ants and other insects will consume all the flesh and leave just the bones. The skeleton then requires careful whitening and bleaching before reassembling with thin wires. It can be displayed in a glass case.
Wet specimen
For anatomical study, the hummingbird can be preserved in a jar of alcohol or formaldehyde. This maintains the natural colors and flexibility of the body. However, wet specimens slowly degrade over decades.
Preservation Process Step-by-Step
If you choose to DIY taxidermy or skeletonize the hummingbird at home, here are the basic steps involved:
Supplies Needed
- Scalpel or small scissors
- Tweezers
- Gloves
- Borax or cornmeal
- Cotton for stuffing
- Wires for posing
- Wood and wire for body form
- Glass eyes/beads for eyes
- Display case (optional)
Taxidermy Process
- Wearing gloves, make an incision along the belly and carefully remove the organs and muscle, leaving the bones.
- Carefully cut away the skin from the head and body.
- Remove the eyes but leave the eyelids intact.
- Use borax or cornmeal to thoroughly coat and dry the inside of the skin.
- Wrap the skin in paper and store in a dry place for 1-2 weeks.
- Rehydrate the skin by soaking in water and rubbing thoroughly to soften.
- Wire the feet and beak into position using thin wires.
- Mount the skin over the body form and use wires to adjust the wings, head, and tail.
- Insert glass eyes or beads into eye openings.
- Use pins and stitches to close incisions.
- Brush feathers gently into place.
- Display on a branch or in a glass case.
Skeletonization Process
- Bury the deceased hummingbird in an area populated with ants, covering with mesh to protect from scavengers.
- Allow 2-6 weeks for insects to consume all flesh.
- Dig up the remains and simmer in water to remove any remaining tissue.
- Whitening the bones by soaking in hydrogen peroxide diluted in water.
- Bleach the bones in the sun to complete whitening.
- Articulate the skeleton by wiring joints together.
- Mount in desired flying pose with thin wires and foam base.
- Display skeleton in glass case.
Preservation Tips and Tricks
Follow these tips for best results preparing your hummingbird specimen:
- Work slowly and gently to avoid damaging fragile bones and feathers.
- Remove the eyes but keep eyelids intact for a natural look for taxidermy.
- Use high quality, museum grade borax as a drying agent.
- Rinse specimens thoroughly after whitening and bleaching to avoid brittleness.
- Consider wiring the feet closed around a perch for taxidermy mounting.
- Have a plan for the finished pose before starting taxidermy.
- Keep records of the articulation and mounting process for skeletonization.
- Research permits and state laws before preserving any wild hummingbird.
Long-Term Care of Preserved Specimens
To maximize the longevity of your preserved hummingbird, keep these care tips in mind:
- Display taxidermy mounts out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.
- Check for insect damage on taxidermy and treat with freezing if needed.
- Keep wet specimens completely sealed in an airtight container.
- Refresh preservative liquid annually for wet specimens.
- Handle skeletons carefully to avoid loosening joints.
- Dust skeletons and taxidermy mounts regularly with a soft brush.
- Cover wet specimens, taxidermy, and skeletons when moving them.
With proper preservation technique and care, a hummingbird specimen can remain in excellent condition for decades to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is preserving a hummingbird difficult?
Preserving a hummingbird well requires care, patience, and specialized knowledge of taxidermy or skeletal articulation. While an experienced taxidermist can make it look effortless, for a beginner it can be very challenging.
Do I need any permits or licenses?
In the United States, you need special permits to legally possess any part of a wild native hummingbird, even one found deceased. No permit is needed for a pet hummingbird you owned.
What chemicals are used?
Borax, cornmeal, hydrogen peroxide, bleach and formaldehyde are some common chemicals used. A taxidermist may also utilize tanning solutions and preservatives. Always follow safety precautions when handling chemicals.
Can I preserve a hummingbird myself?
It is possible to DIY taxidermy or skeletonize a small hummingbird at home with proper research and supplies. However, beginners may struggle with the complex skinning, drying, and mounting processes involved. Contacting a professional taxidermist is recommended for best results.
How long does preservation take?
The process can take 2-6 weeks for skeletonization and 1-2 months for thorough taxidermy preparation. The drying period alone for the skin is 1-2 weeks. Ensure you have ample time to work slowly and methodically for good results.
Conclusion
Preserving the delicate beauty of a deceased hummingbird is a nuanced process but can result in a meaningful keepsake. With proper care and technique, a taxidermy mount, skeleton, or wet specimen can provide opportunities to study, appreciate, and remember these captivating creatures for years to come.
