ART GALLERY

Name: Rainbow Lorikeet  trichoglossus moluccanus

Specimen No.: 14

Age/Sex:  Juvenile

Date Acquired: 08/03/2025

Date Completed: 28/11/2025

Information and story:

This juvenile Rainbow Lorikeet (trichoglossus moluccanus) was found deceased in the middle of a road in January 2025. They had sustained trauma to the head, causing a dislocated mandible and a fragile cranium.

As a juvenile, they still displayed their developing features, dark brown eyes and the beak beginning to shift from dark colours to the beautiful orange. We chose to preserve them in this life stage as a juvenile Rainbow Lorikeet.  

The head and face have been mounted acceptably; however the body displays areas we feel could be refined further. This mount represents another step in our ongoing taxidermy journey, and we've gained valuable insight into how to create more anatomically realistic body flow in future pieces.

Thank you for taking the time to read their story, we hope this allows you to appreciate their natural beauty even more. 

Name: Superb Lyrebird  menura novaehollandiae

Specimen No.: 13

Age/Sex:  Male - Juvenile

Date Acquired: 19/03/2024

Date Completed: 06/09/2025

Information and story:

We found this Superb Lyrebird (menura novaehollandiae) on the roadside whilst driving to a park. It had rained heavily the day before and earlier that morning, so the poor bird was drenched, its feathers matted, and its body crawling with ants. In this state, it was difficult to even recognise what species it was. The feet are enormous, which at first made us think of a bush turkey, but the head resembled that of a pheasant. After days of research and comparison, we finally discovered we had a Superb Lyrebird. 

Due to being a juvenile, there was no distinctive Lyrebird tail, and the plumage consisted mostly of fluffy down feathers. A faint hint of orange-brown feathers along the cheeks and neck suggested it may have been a male, as females lack this brighter feather colouring. Albeit, birds can be quite difficult to sex. 

When we began processing, we found the skin was already deteriorating; It was torn in many places, and the feathers were falling out like leaves. It was clear the bird had likely been deceased for 1-2 days before we found him. Unfortunately, due to the poor condition of the skin meant taxidermy was not possible, so we decided instead to preserve him through skeletal articulation.

During processing, we discovered extensive trauma to both of the legs. There were multiple open fractures present in both tarsometatarsus and two fractures on the left tibiotarsus (proximal and distal). The feet themselves were too unstable to clean and re-articulate, so we chose to mummify them to retain their integrity, and beauty! The pelvis also showed some signs of damage, while most other bones remained intact, including the skull which was in remarkably perfect condition.

The broken tibiotarsus presented a challenge in articulation as a chunk of bone distally was missing, leaving the two fractured pieces barely meeting. Despite this difficulty, we worked tirelessly to complete the skeleton, and we are truly thrilled with the result. It has been an incredible honour to work with such a magnificent bird, a rare and unique find, truly a privilege. 

This species is astonishing in size, with long legs and impressively large feet. For context, we've displayed him alongside a juvenile Australian Magpie for scale. 

Thank you for taking the time to read his story, we hope this allows you to appreciate his beauty and significance even more. 

Comparison with a juvenile Australian Magpie:

Name: Common Ringtail Possum pseudocheirus peregrinus

Specimen No.: No. 12

Age/Sex:  Male - Adult

Date Acquired: 15/08/2024

Date Completed: 15/06/2025

Information and story:

This sweet little Ringtail Possum was humanely euthanised due to health concerns. Sadly, we do not know the full story behind his condition, but he was a beautiful specimen to work with. We chose a natural pose, sitting in the nook of a tree branch, with his tail curled neatly around it for balance, and his claws gripping the bark. We are very pleased with how this piece came together and look forward to continuing to grow and improve with each project.

Thank you for taking the time to read his short story. Though we may not know much about his life, we can still appreciate and acknowledge his beauty through this piece.

Name: Laughing Kookaburra dacelo novaeguineae

Specimen No.: No. 11

Age/Sex:  Adult

Date Acquired: 09/02/2025

Date Completed: 10/04/2025

Information and story:

We found this Laughing Kookaburra (dacelo novaeguineae) on the roadside after it had been struck by a vehicle. They had suffered significant trauma to the face, the right eye was collapsed with torn skin surrounding the eye, some damage and fractures to the skull, left leg was severely fractured and dislocated at the tarsometatarsus, and some scrapes to the right wing.

During tanning, we discovered the skin had already started decomposing, which caused extensive feather slippage. Many of the feathers were also pin feathers (newly emerging feathers), which are fragile and especially prone to loss once decomposition begins. This made the process extremely difficult, as even the slightest movement caused more feathers to fall out.

Because of this, the finished mount is not our finest work, and we openly acknowledge its flaws. The left side of the face remains open where the skin had torn, leaving the skull partially visible. For this reason, we are offering the piece at a discounted price.

Despite its imperfections, we believe this bird still carries a story worth telling. He was an unfortunate victim to roadkill, and through this mount we hope he is remembered and respected.

Name: Pigeon (Rock Dove) columba livia

Specimen No.: No. 10

Age/Sex:  Juvenile

Date Acquired: 12/09/2024

Date Completed: 02/04/2025

Information and story:

This sweet little pigeon has a story we were deeply involved in, right up until the very end.

They were first found by a member of the public with a severe scalping injury that had exposed the skull. Acting quickly, the finder reached out to experienced pigeon carers, and one carer collected the bird and immediately brought them to a veterinary clinic for emergency treatment. X-rays revealed no fractures to the skull at that stage, only the scalping wound. The vets provided pain relief, antibiotics, and wound care.

Unfortunately, the pigeon stopped eating, which can become critical in young, growing birds. They required frequent crop-feeding, but the original carer wasn’t experienced with this, so they reached out for help. We saw their request and took the pigeon into our care. For two days we crop-fed them, and on the third day they began pecking at seeds on their own, a wonderful sign of progress. We continued medications and bandage changes, though it was clear they were very fearful of people, making handling stressful for them.

They started to become brighter, more alert, and even started flying around the room we allowed them to free-roam in, instead of being confined to a carrier. But keeping the bandage in place proved difficult. It was crucial it stayed on, both to protect their exposed skull from impact and to keep the wound moist for healing. We returned to a different vet for check-ups and bandage changes, and the wound, though painful, did appear to be improving.

At the second recheck, the vet recommended another X-ray to rule out deeper damage before continuing treatment. Sadly, this time the imaging revealed a fracture to the skull. While technically it was possible they could have lived with the injury, it became clear that their pain, stress, and the intensive handling required for care would make their life one of constant suffering. After much thought, we made the difficult decision to have them humanely euthanised. It was heartbreaking, but the kindest choice.

We wanted to honour them, so we chose to preserve them through skeletal articulation. On cleaning and degreasing the bones, we could clearly see the damage, with holes in the cranium, and signs of bone regrowth where their body had tried to heal. It was striking to witness both the extent of their injury and the resilience of their little body.

As painful as the decision was, seeing the injury laid bare confirmed that euthanasia was the most compassionate option. They must have been in incredible pain, and we are grateful they are no longer suffering.

Their skeleton was carefully articulated, a delicate and fiddly process with such fine bones, and mounted beneath a glass cloche. We are very pleased with the result, and it feels like a fitting way to honour their life and story.

Thank you for taking the time to read this pigeon’s journey. It is a sad one, but knowing they are at peace brings us peace as well.

We have also included some photos of when this pigeon was alive, what the injury looked like, and finally the X-ray taken before the decision to euthanise.

Name: Common Ringtail Possum pseudocheirus peregrinus

Specimen No.: No. 09

Age/Sex:  Male - Adult

Date Acquired: 15/08/2024

Date Completed: 30/03/2025

Information and story:

This sweet little Ringtail Possum was humanely euthanised due to health concerns. Sadly, we do not know the full story behind his condition, but he was a beautiful specimen to work with. At the time of passing, he had been shaved at the base of the tail for intravenous access. We noticed whilst processing that had a small scab beneath his chin.

For this mount, we chose a natural pose, peacefully curled up in eternal sleep. He fits perfectly on any flat surface and looks wonderful displayed in a cabinet or on a shelf. As our very first attempt at mammal taxidermy, we are pleased with how this piece came together and look forward to continuing to learn and improve with each project.

Thank you for taking the time to read his short story. Though we may not know much about his life, we can still appreciate and acknowledge his beauty through this piece. He is honoured and remembered in a new loving home.

Name: Common Brushtail Possum trichosurus vulpecula

Specimen No.: 07

Age/Sex:  Adult - Female

Date Acquired: 28/11/2024

Date Completed: 23/02/2025

Information and story:

This lovely Brushtail Possum (trichosurus vulpecula) was brought into a veterinary clinic by a member of the public after being found with half of her tail missing, where the end was badly infected, with necrotic tissue spreading. How she lost her tail? We’ll never know, possums can’t tell us their stories, so all we can do is share the part we know.

Aside from her tail injury, she was bright and alert, and with dedicated care she might have lived a long life in the wild. Sadly, wildlife regulations require euthanasia if an animal is missing more than 50% of a major limb or appendage. It was heartbreaking, as a carer had been willing to take her on, but the law had to be followed.

Because her body had been shaved in places for intravenous access, taxidermy wasn’t an option, so we chose to preserve her through skeletal articulation. The remaining caudal vertebrae at the end of her tail showed some minor pathology, an interesting glimpse into her story.

We also used this opportunity to experiment with tanning, as it was our first attempt at preparing a possum skin. The pelt turned out fairly well, with some fur loss around the edges but otherwise a good result. The head became our first practice study in mammal taxidermy, having only worked with birds before. 

For the skeleton, we aimed for a sitting pose where the bones could support their own weight, we like to avoid using visible supports where possible. This articulation was particularly challenging, as there are very few detailed references for Brushtail or Ringtail possum skeletons, especially when it comes to the carpus and tarsus. We spent days researching possible configurations for the paws and feet before settling on what we felt was most accurate.

In the end, we are very pleased with how she came together. She is a beautiful specimen, with a story marked by both tragedy and resilience, carried forward through her missing tail.

Thank you for taking the time to read her story—we hope this allows you to appreciate her beauty, imperfections, and uniqueness all the more.

Name: Rainbow Lorikeet trichoglossus moluccanus

Specimen No.: No. 06

Age/Sex:  Young Adult

Date Acquired: 02/01/2025

Date Completed: 09/02/2025

Information and story:

This beautiful young Rainbow Lorikeet (trichoglossus moluccanus)  was brought into a veterinary clinic by a member of the public after flying directly into a glass window at McDonald’s. The bird was bleeding heavily from the beak and appeared dazed and shocked. On examination, the veterinarian found that the beak had chipped on the right side and at the tip, exposing the bone beneath. X-rays confirmed no major damage beyond the visible fracture, so the wound was cleaned, pain relief was given, and the lorikeet was allowed to rest quietly to recover from the shock.

After a few hours, the vet performed a flight test to determine if the bird was strong enough to be transferred to a wildlife carer. Sadly, the lorikeet failed and collapsed to the ground. As per protocol, a full-body X-ray was taken under anaesthesia to rule out fractures. Unfortunately, this revealed a compound fracture of the right coracoid, which meant the bird could no longer use its wing properly and was unable to fly. Without the ability to fly, rehabilitation and release were not available at the time, and the kindest option was humane euthanasia.

Because of the lorikeet’s striking plumage, we chose to preserve them through taxidermy, keeping the unique story of their beak injury as part of the piece. The process went smoothly, with minimal pin feathers to complicate things. On closer inspection, it appeared that part of the beak bone itself had been damaged or lost in the collision. The finished mount beautifully captures both the cracked beak, with bone exposed, and the dazzling rainbow feathers that make this species so beloved.

This little lorikeet’s story is both sad and beautiful. We feel deeply honoured to have been able to preserve their memory and their extraordinary colours, ensuring their beauty will be cherished forever. Thank you for taking the time to read their story.

Name: Rainbow Lorikeet trichoglossus moluccanus

Specimen No.: No. 05

Age/Sex:  Young Adult

Date Acquired: 06/01/2025

Date Completed: 17/01/2025

Information and story:

This beautiful young Rainbow Lorikeet (trichoglossus moluccanus)  was brought into a veterinary clinic by a member of the public after being found sitting motionless in the middle of the road. The bird appeared depressed, thin, and weak, with little strength or grip in the limbs and beak. They were also unusually quiet, which is always concerning for a Rainbow Lorikeet.

With no visible or palpable injuries, it was first suspected that the bird may have collided with a window and become stunned. The vet administered pain relief and allowed them to rest in a quiet place for several hours. Sadly, the lorikeet did not improve, and the decision was made to proceed with humane euthanasia.

Based on the clinical signs, it is possible this lorikeet was suffering from Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome (LPS), though the clinic did not have the resources available for rehabilitation. On our own inspection, we found no clear internal or pathological injuries, but did note an excessive amount of fat deposits throughout the body.

This was one of our earlier bird mounts, and though not our proudest piece, it marks the beginning of our journey into working with avian taxidermy. Thank you for taking the time to read their story, they are honoured and remembered in a new loving home.

Name: Short-Tailed Shearwater ardenna tenuirostris

Specimen No.: No. 04

Age/Sex:  Adult

Date Acquired: 30/01/2024

Date Completed: 31/12/2025

Information and story:

We found this Short-tailed Shearwater (ardenna tenuirostris) partially buried in the sand while walking along the beach, surrounded by the scattered bones of several others. These remarkable seabirds migrate vast distances, travelling up to 15,000 km each way between their breeding grounds in Australia and their feeding areas in the northern Pacific. Sadly, it is common for many to perish along the way due to starvation, exhaustion, or harsh weather. As a result, they are often found washed ashore, already gone.

Shearwaters are incredibly resilient birds, and we are honoured to have preserved this individual among the many who lost their lives during their journey. This skeletal articulation stands as a symbol for all the lives lost on our beaches each year. May they rest in peace.

Name: Australian Magpie gymnorhina tibicen

Specimen No.: No. 03

Age/Sex:  Juvenile

Date Acquired: 28/12/2023

Date Completed: 25/10/2024

Information and story:

We began our bone processing journey with this little Magpie. The bones were cleaned using maceration, a method where flesh-eating bacteria is cultivated in a warm, moist body of water. These bacteria gradually break down the tissues, including cartilage, leaving only the bones behind. After soaking for a day, we separated the beak from the skull to be replaced later during articulation.

Once the flesh was removed, the bones were soaked in a warm solution of dish soap and ammonia to draw out any remaining grease. Fortunately, bird bones contain far less grease than mammals, so the process only took a couple of months.

With the bones prepared, we began the painstaking task of articulation. This is a slow and meticulous process, requiring many hours of focus, planning, and research. The end result is a skeleton we are truly proud of, and our first articulation. Magpies are such remarkable birds, and we feel honoured to have preserved this little one’s life in this way.

Name: Australian Wood Duck chenonetta jubata

Specimen No.: No. 02

Age/Sex:  Adult - Male

Date Acquired: 15/07/2024

Date Completed: 11/12/2024

Information and story:

This is a male Australian Wood Duck (chenonetta jubata), recovered after being found deceased on the roadside in July 2024. He showed signs of trauma with blood present around the nostrils and beak. During preparation, we discovered a complete fracture across the nasal bridge, severing the beak from the skull just above the orbits. We hope his passing was quick and without suffering. The skull was carefully repaired, along with reconstruction of the torn left eyelid. Although the injury is not visible from the outside, it remains an important part of his story.

This duck was our first attempt at a waterfowl mount. He is not perfect, but he displays beautifully atop a vintage cupboard or shelf. An imperfect yet meaningful piece that carries both history and character. We hope he may find a peaceful forever home.  

Name: Laughing Kookaburra dacelo novaeguineae

Specimen No.: No. 01

Age/Sex:  Juvenile

Date Acquired: 12/02/2024

Date Completed: 25/06/2024

Information and story:

This Laughing Kookaburra (dacelo novaeguineae) was brought into a veterinary clinic after being found by a member of the public. Unfortunately, little was known about their history, but they were observed to have dark liquid leaking from their beak and thus, was humanely euthanised.

This bird became our very first attempt at taxidermy, from preparation through to mounting. We’ll admit, the result is far from perfect, but it serves as an important reminder of where our journey began. Though not our finest work, this kookaburra holds a special place in our story, marking the first step in the growth and progress we’ve made since.