How to Care for your Bird Mount
Each bird is a fragile specimen to be handled with care. Once you've received your Bird Mount from Frozen in Flight Taxidermy there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for it.
Most of all, remember to sit back and enjoy the wonderful details and coloring of your bird.
Placement
- Under low light, ideally 50 Lux.
- Out of reach of children and pets.
Avoid
- Direct Sunlight
- Flourescent lighting
- Air Ducts
- Fireplaces
Bright light exposure will fade feathers in just a few days, and air ducts can make birds very dusty.
Clean
- Once a month, dust with a feather duster.
- Brush with feathers toward the tail.
Monitoring
Inspect the mount for insect damage regularly, especially in late spring and summer. Silverfish and moth larvae can destroy feathers quickly. Dermestid insects, such as carpet beetle larvae, are notorious for eating museum collections.
In case of an insect problem, you can place the bird in a plastic bag and freeze it for several weeks, then let it thaw in the bag so any remaining eggs hatch, and freeze it again.
Dust Cases
A dust case can be custom made for standing mounts to help prevent exposure to dust and insects. Each mount is assembled and secured in the best possible fashion.
Antique or Historic Taxidermy Mounts
- Must be handled with utmost care
- Are best kept under glass
- May contain toxic materials
- Mask and gloves should be worn when handling and dusting.
For more information on feathers and their care, see wikipedia. To learn more about the specific risks associated with handling antique mounts, read this pdf paper by the Smithsonian, and other conservators.