[Nhcoll-l] Converting bird mounts

[Kirchner-Smith, Mackenzie]

Hello all,

I have a question about the process of converting bird mounts into skins, or at least making them more compact to be properly stored in drawers with skins.

I have some mounted birds where they are the only specimen we have of that species, and I would like to store them with the skins. I know I have seen mounts ‘converted’ into skins, such that the feet and pushed down and (when necessary) the head is straightened out to be in line with the body. We have some in our collection that I can tell used to be mounts. Has anyone ever done this, or know how to go about doing this? These are birds with wires in the legs, etc. I’m not sure if they should just be moved or if it would be better to try and soften them somehow before. Or if this ‘conversion’ isn’t a recommended course of action at all.

Thank you for any help or advice in advance.

- Mackenzie

Mackenzie Kirchner-Smith, she/her
Museum Curator, Integrated Biology
San Bernardino County Museum
Phone: 909-798-8619
2024 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, CA, 92374

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