“Are they real birds?”
Almost every child that walks through those big steely black doors and sees one of the birds for the very first time, asks this question, “Are they real birds?”
My reply, “Yes! They are real”.
But before I can begin to explain that every one of these taxidermied birds on display are in fact a real bird, except no longer alive, I’m abruptly cut off by an exhilarating “wow”. These intricately crafted taxidermy birds become the center of these kids’ fascination.
The thing is, taxidermy requires a high level of artistic skill and understanding of bird anatomy to ensure the bird appears lifelike. It involves carefully removing the bird’s internal organs, cleaning and preserving the skin, stuffing, posing, and then mounting it on a form to maintain its shape. The feathers, bones, and other parts of the bird are all preserved in such a way to make it appear lifelike, something Dr Stephen is able to do very well. His ability to develop anatomically accurate poses which incorporate each species unique behavior, combined with his determination for the highest level of detail in each specimen is easily appreciated by all who come across one his marvelous birds.
Many children become easily fascinated not only by the laughing calls of the Laughing Falcon, dancing red capped manakins, or the talking amazon parrots, but what truly seems to draw their attention is a birds’ ability to fly. Yes, the simple fact that many birds can fly.
Don’t tell me you haven’t ever imagined yourself as a bird soaring through the sky? Flying birds are quite intriguing right? Whether they are soaring high or low, flapping those wings fast or slow, watching birds fly can most definitely feel like a magical experience for any young mind.
Ultimately, we cannot deny the fact that children are naturally curious about nature, and birds are one of the more accessible animals to observe, whether in their backyards, at a park, the Belize Natural History Archive, or even at the zoo. Taxidermy offers a unique way for all to learn about bird anatomy, species identification, and the diversity of avian life in Belize. You can do your part in conservation simply by engaging your little one in activities such as bird watching, reading books about birds, and visiting local museums or nature centers.
Have you ever seen a real bird lately? How about a taxidermied bird? Don’t ever forget, these taxidermied birds are still real birds!