About this Project
Thank you for visiting this display case! My name is Avery Weishaar and I have taken it upon myself as part of my research to remodel, refresh, and update this display case. I have been studying birds since ~2011 and have continued my passion into my education. With this project, I hope to educate and inspire more people into the wonderful world of birds!
All identification photos borrowed from allaboutbirds.org/guide. Images of Ivory Billed Woodpecker and Carolina Parakeet are from Google Images.
All reference photos used for illustrations were found via Google Images except for Northern Mockingbird, American Coot, and Yellow Warbler, which were my own photos.
Thank you for visiting this display case! My name is Avery Weishaar and I have taken it upon myself as part of my research to remodel, refresh, and update this display case. I have been studying birds since ~2011 and have continued my passion into my education. With this project, I hope to educate and inspire more people into the wonderful world of birds!
All identification photos borrowed from allaboutbirds.org/guide. Images of Ivory Billed Woodpecker and Carolina Parakeet are from Google Images.
All reference photos used for illustrations were found via Google Images except for Northern Mockingbird, American Coot, and Yellow Warbler, which were my own photos.
You may notice that some of these birds are not in the best condition, but they are also very old. Given that they are not stored in a humidity or temperature-controlled environment, we thought it best to not open the case to prevent any damage to the specimens. As well with the specimens being old, the quality of several have already degraded some over the years, and several have out-dated information regarding scientific and common names. The updated information can be found below for each bird, along with identifying photos and more in-depth information.
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Click a bird to learn more about it
illustration gallery
I have been teaching myself digital art and this project was great practice for me. For many of the drawings, I tried to incorporate a challenge for myself, such as using only one brush type (puffin, swainson's, cormorant), using only one hue and its complementary hue (mockingbird), or playing with textured brushes (night heron, herring gull). As I continued along in these drawings, I was able to improve in my skills and develop my style.
Taxidermy vs Study Skin
Taxidermy is the process of taking the skin and fur/feathers from a deceased animal and fitting it to a form to make it appear like the living individual and then displaying it. Sometimes a molded form is used, sometimes the skin is stuffed with cotton and wires, or sometimes a taxidermy can be a combination of these methods. Often times, false features are added that cannot be kept from the specimen, such as glass eyes.
A study skin is a similar process, but the skin is stuffed with cotton only and the end result is not a life-like pose. The purpose of a study skin is as it is called: for study. Study skins are common to make with birds but can be made with any animal. The skins can be dried and will preserve for a long time, and fur/feathers preserve even longer.
Taxidermy is the process of taking the skin and fur/feathers from a deceased animal and fitting it to a form to make it appear like the living individual and then displaying it. Sometimes a molded form is used, sometimes the skin is stuffed with cotton and wires, or sometimes a taxidermy can be a combination of these methods. Often times, false features are added that cannot be kept from the specimen, such as glass eyes.
A study skin is a similar process, but the skin is stuffed with cotton only and the end result is not a life-like pose. The purpose of a study skin is as it is called: for study. Study skins are common to make with birds but can be made with any animal. The skins can be dried and will preserve for a long time, and fur/feathers preserve even longer.
Birding Ethics
Birdwatching can be a great past-time, a great way to get outdoors, and a great way for the average person to get involved in science and conservation. However, it is good to keep in mind that most birds do not like to be particularly friendly with humans. Do not attempt to hand-feed wild birds or directly handle an individual. Bread is not part of the diet for any bird and can make them sick. If you think you’ve found a sick or injured bird, keep away potential predators such as domestic cats or dogs and call a local wildlife rehabilitation center.
Birding groups and organizations around the country have deemed using call playbacks to attract birds as unethical. When doing so in the field, this can attract birds looking for a mate, and may become stressed when they cannot find them. Some birds during breeding season can become aggressive and there would be the potential to be attacked by an aggressive male. Call playbacks are great for reference and learning but are not to be used to attract birds to you.
Backyard bird feeders are a good way to safely interact and observe birds. When using bird feeders, keep watch for House Finch, American Goldfinch, and Northern Cardinals, who may be infected with the highly contagious avian disease: conjunctivitis. Infected birds will be slow and sluggish, with swollen eyes. If there are contaminated birds visiting your feeders, clean them about twice a month with a 10% bleach solution. It is also good to keep tabs on the presence of Avian Flu. If your area is having infections among wild birds, it may be a good idea to stop putting out seed or other bird food for a while. Wild birds are not dependent upon feeders for their diet so they will be fine without it, and you can additionally keep them safe from avian infections.
Birdwatching can be a great past-time, a great way to get outdoors, and a great way for the average person to get involved in science and conservation. However, it is good to keep in mind that most birds do not like to be particularly friendly with humans. Do not attempt to hand-feed wild birds or directly handle an individual. Bread is not part of the diet for any bird and can make them sick. If you think you’ve found a sick or injured bird, keep away potential predators such as domestic cats or dogs and call a local wildlife rehabilitation center.
Birding groups and organizations around the country have deemed using call playbacks to attract birds as unethical. When doing so in the field, this can attract birds looking for a mate, and may become stressed when they cannot find them. Some birds during breeding season can become aggressive and there would be the potential to be attacked by an aggressive male. Call playbacks are great for reference and learning but are not to be used to attract birds to you.
Backyard bird feeders are a good way to safely interact and observe birds. When using bird feeders, keep watch for House Finch, American Goldfinch, and Northern Cardinals, who may be infected with the highly contagious avian disease: conjunctivitis. Infected birds will be slow and sluggish, with swollen eyes. If there are contaminated birds visiting your feeders, clean them about twice a month with a 10% bleach solution. It is also good to keep tabs on the presence of Avian Flu. If your area is having infections among wild birds, it may be a good idea to stop putting out seed or other bird food for a while. Wild birds are not dependent upon feeders for their diet so they will be fine without it, and you can additionally keep them safe from avian infections.
Display #2
In addition to the historical specimens, I have added a second display to show off more of the fun aspects of ornithology.
In addition to the historical specimens, I have added a second display to show off more of the fun aspects of ornithology.