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Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than Swans and Geese, which are members of the same family. Ducks are mostly aquatic Birds and may be found in fresh water. The Egyptian Goose (Alopochen Aegyptiaca) is an African member of the Anatidae family. Because of their popularity chiefly as an ornamental bird, the species has also been introduced to Europe, the United States and elsewhere outside their natural range. Ostriches are large flightless Birds. Two living species are recognised, the common Ostrich, native to large areas of sub-Saharan Africa, and the Somali Ostrich, native to the Horn of Africa. The Emu (Dromaius Novaehollandiae) is a species of lightless bird endemic to Australia. Once common on the east coast of Australia, Emu are now uncommon there; by contrast, the development of agriculture and the provision of water for stock in the interior of the continent have increased the range of the Emu in arid regions.
Birds live and breed in most terrestrial habitats and on all seven continents. The highest Bird diversity occurs in tropical regions. Many species migrate annually over great distances and across oceans. Many
Bird species have established breeding populations in areas to which they have been introduced by humans. Some of these introductions have been deliberate; the Ring-Neck Pheasant for example, has been introduced around the world as a game Bird.
Birds have one of the most complex respiratory systems of all animal groups. Upon inhalation, 75% of the fresh air bypasses the lungs and flows directly into a posterior air sac which extends from the lungs and connects with air spaces in the bones and fills them with air. The other 25% of the air goes directly into the lungs. When the Bird exhales, the used air flows out of the lungs and the stored fresh air from the posterior air sac is simultaneously forced into the lungs. Thus, a Bird’s lungs receive a constant supply of fresh air during both inhalation and exhalation.
The overall body plan of Ducks is elongated and broad, and they are also relatively long-necked, albeit not as long-necked as the Geese and Swans. The body shape of diving Ducks varies somewhat from this in being more rounded. The bill is usually broad and contains serrated pectens, which are particularly well defined in the filter-feeding species.
Ducks generally only have one partner at a time, although the partnership usually only lasts one year. Larger species and the more sedentary species tend to have pair-bonds that last numerous years. Most Duck species breed once a year, choosing to do so in favourable conditions (Spring/Summer or wet seasons). Ducks also tend to make a nest before breeding and after hatching, lead their ducklings to water. Mother Ducks are very caring and protective of their young, ducklings can be orphaned by inconsistent late hatching where a few eggs hatch after the mother has abandoned the nest and led her ducklings to water.
A duckling is a young duck in downy plumage or baby duck, but in the food trade a young domestic duck which has just reached adult size and bulk and its meat is still fully tender, is sometimes labelled as a duckling.
It swims well and appears heavy in flight, more like a goose than a duck, hence the English name. On average, they are 63–73 cm (25–29 in) tall.
The sexes of this species are identical in plumage but the males are usually somewhat larger. They vary greatly in plumage tone, with some Birds greyer and others browner, but this variation has not been observed to be sex- or age-related. A large part of the wings of mature Birds is white, but the white is hidden by the wing coverts when at rest. When it is aroused, either in alarm or aggression, the white is displayed.
Egyptian Geese in the wild can live for up to 15 years, while captive individuals have been recorded reaching an age of 35.
The voices and vocalisations of the sexes differ, the male having a hoarse, subdued Duck-like quack which seldom sounds unless it is aroused, as well as a louder, breathy call which is performed in a rapid sequence, sounding somewhat like a steam engine. The female has a far noisier raucous quack that frequently sounds in aggression when tending her young. The male Egyptian Goose attracts its mate with an elaborate, noisy courtship display that includes honking, neck stretching and feather displays.
They are the heaviest and largest living Birds, with adult common Ostriches weighing anywhere between 63.5 and 145 kilograms and laying the largest eggs of any living land animal. With the ability to run at 70 km/h (43.5 mph), they are the fastest Birds on land. They are farmed worldwide, with significant industries in the Philippines, Namibia and South Africa, producing about 70% of global Ostrich products. Ostrich Leather is a lucrative commodity, and the large feathers are used as plumes for the decoration of ceremonial headgear. Ostrich eggs have been used by humans for millennia.
The Emu is the second tallest bird in the world, only being exceeded in height by the Ostrich, the largest individuals can reach up to 150 to 190 cm (59 to 75 in) in height. Measured from the bill to the tail, Emus range in length from 139 to 164 cm (55 to 65 in), with males averaging 148.5 cm (58.5 in) and females averaging 156.8 cm (61.7 in). Emu are the fourth or fifth heaviest living bird, Adult Emus weigh between 18 and 60 kg (40 and 132 lb), with an average of 31.5 and 37 kg (69 and 82 lb) in males and females, respectively. Females are usually slightly larger than males and are substantially wider across the rump.
Although flightless, Emu have vestigial wings, the wing chord measuring around 20 cm (8 in), and each wing having a small claw at the tip. Emu flap their wings when running, perhaps as a means of stabilising themselves when moving fast. They have long necks and legs and can run at speeds of 48 km/h (30 mph). Their feet have only three toes and a similarly reduced number of bones and associated foot muscles; Emu are unique among Birds in that their gastrocnemius muscles in the back of the lower legs have four bellies instead of the usual three.
The neck of the Emu is pale blue and shows through its sparse feathers. They have grey-brown plumage of shaggy appearance; the shafts and the tips of the feathers are black. Solar radiation is absorbed by the tips, and the inner plumage insulates the skin. This prevents the Birds from overheating, allowing them to be active during the heat of the day. The sexes are similar in appearance, although the male’s penis can become visible when he urinates and defecates. The plumage varies in colour due to environmental factors, giving the bird a natural camouflage. Feathers of Emu in more arid areas with red soils have a rufous tint while Birds residing in damp conditions are generally darker in hue. The juvenile plumage develops at about three months and is blackish finely barred with brown, with the head and neck being especially dark. The facial feathers gradually thin to expose the bluish skin. The adult plumage has developed by about fifteen months.
The eyes of an Emu are protected by nictitating membranes. These are translucent, secondary eyelids that move horizontally from the inside edge of the eye to the outside edge. They function as visors to protect the eyes from the dust that is prevalent in windy arid regions. Emu have a tracheal pouch, which becomes more prominent during the mating season. At more than 30 cm (12 in) in length, it is quite spacious; it has a thin wall, and an opening 8 centimetres (3 in) long.
Emu predominantly travel in pairs, and while they can form large flocks, this is an atypical social behaviour that arises from the common need to move towards a new food source. Emu have been shown to travel long distances to reach abundant feeding areas.
Emus are diurnal Birds and spend their day foraging, preening their plumage with their beak, dust bathing and resting. They are generally gregarious Birds apart from the breeding season, and while some forage, others remain vigilant to their mutual benefit. They are able to swim when necessary, although they rarely do so unless the area is flooded or they need to cross a river. Emu begin to settle down at sunset and sleep during the night. They do not sleep continuously but rouse themselves several times during the night.
The vocalisations of Emu mostly consist of various booming and grunting sounds.
Emu eat a variety of native and introduced plant species. The diet depends on seasonal availability with such plants as Acacia, Casuarina and grasses being favoured. They also eat insects and other arthropods, including grasshoppers and crickets, beetles, cockroaches, ladyBirds, bogong and cotton-ball moth larvae, ants, spiders and millipedes.
Emu form breeding pairs during the summer months of December and January and may remain together for about five months. During this time, they stay in an area a few kilometres in diameter and it is believed they find and defend territory within this area. Both males and females put on weight during the breeding season, with the female becoming slightly heavier at between 45 and 58 kg (99 and 128 lb). Mating usually takes place between April and June. Newly hatched chicks are active and can leave the nest within a few days of hatching. They stand about 12 cm (5 in) tall at first, weigh 0.5 kg (17.6 oz), and have distinctive brown and cream stripes for camouflage, which fade after three months or so. Chicks grow very quickly and are fully grown in five to six months; they may remain with their family group for another six months or so before they split up to breed in their second season.
Birds occupy a wide range of ecological positions. While some Birds are generalists, others are highly specialised in their habitat or food requirements. Aquatic Birds generally feed by plant eating. Many grassland Birds are granivores.
Ducks have a cosmopolitan distribution and are found on every continent except Antarctica. Some Duck species, mainly those breeding in the temperate and Arctic Northern Hemisphere, are migratory; those in the tropics are generally not.
Ducks eat food sources such as grasses, aquatic plants, fish, insects, small amphibians, worms, and small molluscs. Dabbling Ducks feed on the surface of water or on land, or as deep as they can reach by up-ending without completely submerging. Along the edge of the bill, there is a comb-like structure called a pecten. This strains the water squirting from the side of the bill and traps any food. The pecten is also used to preen feathers and to hold slippery food items.
Diving Ducks forage deep underwater. To be able to submerge more easily, the diving Ducks are heavier than dabbling Ducks, and therefore have more difficulty taking off to fly.
The Egyptian goose is native to sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Valley, where it is widespread and common to abundant, though it has become scarce in the northern Nile Valley. It is found in open or semi-open habitats, typically near fresh water, ranging from lowlands to 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level in the Ethiopian Highlands and largely absent from dense forests and deserts. While not breeding, it disperses somewhat, sometimes making longer migrations northwards into the arid regions of the Sahel and occasionally even reaching the North African nations of Algeria and Tunisia, historically a more frequent part of its range.
Today, Ostriches are only found natively in the wild in Africa, where they occur in a range of open arid and semi-arid habitats such as Savannahs and Sahel, both north and south of the equatorial forest zone.
Emu live in various habitats across Australia both inland and near the coast. They are most common in areas of savannah woodland and sclerophyll forest, and least common in heavily populated districts and arid areas with annual precipitation of less than 600 millimetres (24 in).
Planning carefully is the key to a good Bird taxidermy job. When tanning and oiling the hides, the best chemicals and methods in the world are used to make sure they will last for generations. At Lifeform Taxidermy, we carefully choose our forms to make sure they fit well, and we’ll even custom make the forms according to any instruction, you may have in mind, at no extra cost. Full-mount trophies come with standard natural habitat bases that are made just for them. We use only the best materials and our 40 years of experience in the field to give your trophies new meaning. The finished trophies look life-like. When repair is needed, every effort is made to repair cuts and scrapes while keeping bullet damage to a minimum. Skin preparation and storage tips for a flawless Bird trophy.
Take care of your trophy before you bring it to the taxidermist – field preparation is the most important start. As soon as you take the hit on your trophy, it starts to rot, and the heat of Africa speeds up the decaying process. The hunter must not drag the body of the animal from the site where it was shot to the waiting hunting truck. The trophy should be protected from the hot metal bed of the hunting truck with a thick layer of cut grass or leaves.
So that nothing goes wrong, the skinning needs to start right away. Remove all of the meat, fat, dirt, and blood from the skin. Clean the skin well. After that, allow the skin to drip dry for a short time, it should then be salted. It is recommended to soak the skin in a salt solution for at least five hours and ideally overnight. Use about 20 kg of salt per 100 litres of water. After taking the skin out of the solution, salt it while it is still flat and flesh side up on a clean surface. To get the full effect of the salt, it needs to be absorbed into the skin all over, into all the crevice’s, especially around the facial features. Put the skin in the shade with a layer of salt on it. After 24 hours, dry the cape. Fold with the hair and ears in when it’s dry. To stop insect damage, pesticides must be sprayed on the skin and in the storage area.
How you choose an Bird taxidermy mount depends on things like your budget, wall space, and personal taste. When it comes to the creation of a full mount, we find that considerable discussion with the customer yields the best results. This is due to the fact that each form is given a distinct shape and arrangement.
Life-Form Taxidermy will make an exact copy of the skin as soon as they get all of your mounting instructions. All of the skins are tanned and oiled with high-quality products and methods to make sure they are preserved for years. Each skin is put on a manikin to make sure that it fits well. After the eyes and ears are expertly placed, the skin is sewn by a professional. Before making any last changes, the taxidermist waits until the animal is dry. They put the trophies in crates, and the shipping company hired by the client brings them to the client.
Every year, dust the mounts with a soft brush or compressed air to fluff up the hair. Trophies should be protected from common pests by spraying a light mist of normal aerosol surface pesticide around them. Think about preserving your trophy with Mount Medix Africa. This is a product that Life-Form Taxidermy offers.
Keep trophies in a cool, dry place. Daylight makes the mounts fade over time, so artificial light is better. If there’s too much humidity, open the windows or turn on a fan. Due to salt and tan residue, hair can make moisture beads when the humidity is high. Using a tissue that soaks up water will also soak up the salts.
The pricing of any trophy is subject to the costing stipulated per taxidermy order, quantity of trophies and preferred mounting options, along with additional requirements.
Should you wish to receive a quotation prior to the hunt, the taxidermist can generate such for you. Please contact [email protected]
Taxidermy is an art form that involves a complicated step-by-step process to make sure that each trophy looks just right and is of a high enough quality that it will last your whole life.
The time it takes a taxidermist to mount an animal might range from days to weeks, and possibly several months, depending on the quantity of trophies per taxidermy order, the display preferences, and volumes of client trophies to be produced, simultaneously, per production schedule.
This depends largely on the “what, how, when” factors. A taxidermy order also only becomes available for production scheduling upon receipt of the required deposit and trophy mounting instructions.
