Catch Me If You Can

After completing my first Rouen Duckling, I’m ready to tackle my biggest bird to date.

Have you ever heard of a Runner Duck? This unfortunate one, didn’t make it through the cold winter in Minnesota this year. They really aren’t a species built for the cold, so it’s not surprising he froze. If you are wondering how to best care for waterfowl in the winter check this resource out.

From here, the skin and carcass went into the freezer and I sent the head off to World Championship Taxidermist, Tony Finazzo. He was so kind to reach out and cast the duck’s head for me for free! Much love to him and his beautiful work. If you are in the need of cast (artificial) bird heads check him and his shop out here.

I always like to keep everything natural when working on birds. In this case my research has led me to decide an artificial head would be best instead of keeping it’s real head. I’ll learn some new skills also along the way.

I ordered black and brown size 18mm glass Duck eyes. Runner Duck eyes run the gamut of colors, so I contacted the owner of this duck to find out it which color it had… “black beady eyes”.

The cast head arrived and now I can get started on the next steps…

Finally after grooming, I injected some bird feet injection fluid into its legs and toes to help avoid shrinkage. I let the duck dry in position for two weeks with a light fan on for air circulation.

I decided to name him Bolt, since he pushes the limits of waddling speed while transcending the leisure life skepticism that plagues his kind. He is a “Runner” duck after all…