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Finally, your beautiful specimen has arrived from the taxidermist. This is the moment of decision. Where should you place the display and how should you take care of it? Let's check the following:
- Locate the mount so that it faces the viewer at the best eye level. Keep backgrounds uncluttered in order for the mount to stand out. Treat placement the same as you would a painting. Both are works of art, except that your mount is, in addition, a personal memory.
- Consider lighting. General diffuse lighting, back wall lighting, backlighting or spotlighting can dramatize the mount.
- Whether you place the mount on a wall or in a case, keep it out of direct sunlight. The hot, bright light will fade the feathers in time.
- Do not place the mount in an extremely hot or dry location or where conditions are damp.
- Do not vacuum the mount.
- Dusting is an effective way to keep the bird clean, the more frequent, the better.
- Dusting should be done with a gentle feather duster or soft cloth, stroking in the direction of the feathers.
- In those cases where feathers become badly misadjusted or frayed, steaming works well to straightem them out. Bring a tea kettle to boil and aim the steam directly on the feathers while stroking, with a soft cloth, in the direction of the feathers.
- Your taxidermist has treated the mount with borax granules to deter vermin. While borax is a good deterrent, it is not always completely effective. The same insect critters that can find their way into carpets, stored food and wool garments can also find and attack a mount. If your mount does happen to come under attack by insects, the first indication will be fine sawdust-like crumbs or feathers or pieces of feathers coming loose.
- There are three ways to meet the insect issue: first, the mount can be placed in a small room and a room fogger can be detonated. This process should be repeated once a week for four weeks.
- You can also place the mount in a plastic bag with those "Pest Strips" or with moth crystals (paradichlorobenzine) for a period of a week. This process should be repeated three times.
- Lastly, the best method is to take the mount to a fumigator to have it fumigated with methyl bromide.
- Be advised that mounted specimens are not bug proof. Quality care on your part and glass cases offer much insurance.
© Stefan Savides
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