Hummingbirds are beautiful creatures that many people enjoy observing in their gardens and yards. Their bright, iridescent feathers and fast, hovering flight make them a joy to watch. Unfortunately, these tiny birds often collide with windows or are caught by cats, resulting in deaths that sadden nature lovers. When a beloved hummingbird passes away, you may want to memorialize it by preserving the body. Here is some information on proper hummingbird preservation techniques.
Why Would You Want to Preserve a Hummingbird?
There are a few reasons why someone may want to preserve a deceased hummingbird:
- To memorialize a special bird that was a regular visitor to your garden
- To use in an educational display about hummingbirds
- To preserve an unusual specimen for scientific collection
- To make art or jewelry with hummingbird parts in an ethical manner
Most commonly, people want to preserve a dead hummingbird that held personal significance in some way. By keeping the body intact, they can continue to appreciate its beauty even after death.
Ethical Considerations
Before preserving a hummingbird, it’s important to think about whether it’s the right thing to do. Here are some ethical considerations:
- Make sure the hummingbird died of natural causes or an accident, not from being intentionally killed.
- Consider calling a wildlife rehabilitator first to see if the bird can be saved.
- Preserve only your own hummingbirds, not wild ones.
- Use the preserved specimen only for educational or memorial purposes, not commercial purposes.
- Treat the bird’s body with great respect throughout the process.
As long as you are preserving a hummingbird for personal, non-commercial reasons and treating the body properly, it can be an ethical practice.
Supplies Needed
You’ll need the following supplies:
- Hummingbird body – should be fresh (ideally used within 12 hours of death)
- Isopropyl or ethyl alcohol (70-90% concentration)
- Small container with tight seal, like a small jar
- Cotton balls or cotton padding
- Tweezers or small scissors
- Thin wire, paper clips, or pipe cleaners (to pose the body)
- Gloves
- Aeration mask (optional)
The alcohol is the key preservative. Pure ethanol alcohol is best, but isopropyl alcohol from the pharmacy works too. The higher the concentration, the better. Make sure your container is big enough to fit the hummingbird with a little room for the cotton. Gloves protect your hands and an aeration mask prevents inhaling alcohol fumes.
Preparing the Specimen
Here are the steps for prepping the hummingbird body for preservation:
- Wear gloves when handling the body.
- Rinse away any dirt, blood, or debris from the bird using plain water. Be very gentle.
- Pat the body completely dry with a paper towel.
- Use tweezers to carefully pluck 1-2 feathers from the bird’s throat or chest. Save these in a plastic bag to dry.
- Optional: Use the wire, paperclips, or pipe cleaners to gently pose the bird’s body into a lifelike position. For example, make the wings spread or bend the legs into a natural perching pose.
The alcohol will harden the body, so pose it how you want it preserved before the next step. Don’t over-manipulate the delicate body.
Preserving the Specimen
Here is the preservation process:
- Place a few cotton balls into the bottom of the jar.
- Carefully place the posed hummingbird body into the jar on top of the cotton.
- Use tweezers to gently wedge more cotton between body parts (like legs and wings) to hold the positioned pose.
- Fill the jar with alcohol until the bird is submerged. Leave at least 1 inch of space at the top.
- Seal the container tightly. This helps prevent alcohol evaporation over time.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks to allow full preservation.
Check that all body parts stay submerged in the alcohol. If needed, wedge in more cotton to absorb any air bubbles. The cotton also protects the delicate body.
Displaying the Preserved Specimen
Once preserved, you can display the hummingbird for memorial or educational purposes:
- Create a labeled shadowbox display featuring the jarred bird.
- Commission a glass artisan to blow an individual display globe for the bird.
- Keep the hummingbird on a shelf or cabinet as part of your own collection.
- Donate the preserved bird to a museum, school, nature center, or university.
- Make jewelry like earrings or pendants using 1-2 saved feathers.
Always handle the preserved specimen carefully to avoid breaking delicate feathers and body parts. Keep your memorial hummingbird someplace safe where others can appreciate its beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ratio of alcohol to use for preservation?
The alcohol concentration should be between 70-90%. Higher concentrations work best for preserving petite hummingbird bodies. Diluting with water lowers the preservative effects.
Does the alcohol evaporate over time?
Alcohol will slowly evaporate from the container, even with a tight seal. Top up with fresh alcohol every 1-2 years to maintain preservation. Proper storage in a cool, dark place helps slow evaporation.
Can the specimen be temporarily removed from alcohol?
Yes, temporary removal is fine but the body will start to desiccate without moisture. Limit air exposure to 1-2 hours maximum before returning to the alcohol solution. The feathers are particularly fragile when dried out.
Is this method good for other small birds?
Yes, alcohol preservation works well for tiny bird bodies, such as chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, warblers, and kinglets. Adjust the jar size based on the overall body dimensions.
How long will a preserved hummingbird last?
A hummingbird preserved properly in a high concentration of ethyl alcohol can potentially last decades with minimal feather degradation. Just maintain fresh alcohol levels in the sealed jar.
Conclusion
Preserving a beloved hummingbird can create a meaningful memorial to a special backyard visitor. With careful preparation, high-proof alcohol, and proper storage, the bird can be beautifully preserved for many years. Follow ethical taxidermy practices and treat the delicate body with utmost respect. A preserved hummingbird serves as a lasting reminder of nature’s jewels.