Mission Statement
A bin of prepared local woodpeckers ready for display: Downy, Pileated, Northern Flicker, and Red-breasted Sapsucker
To preserve and provide a library of bird specimens to be used for education, research and inspiration.
Activities
Working with a licensed taxidermist, and under state and federal permits, the committee members learn to preserve bird specimens that are then used in WAS education activities. Currently over 700 specimens have been preserved and are used in classrooms, community events, our Birds of Whidbey class and in our biannual Bird in Hand festival. At times they are loaned to libraries and other educational or scientific research organizations.
Taxidermist Matt Klope and apprentice with a Great Horned Owl working at Bird in Hand Festival.
Where do our birds come from?
Generally, our birds come from community members who have found a bird and know we might be interested in preserving it. Causes of death are usually window strikes and automobile strikes. If you find a bird and think we might like to use it in our displays see “What to do if you find a dead bird”.
Invitation
If you would like to learn more about this committee and the services they offer or if you would like to join us for a work session please contact us at: specimens@whidbeyaudubonsociety.org.
Learn more about preparing specimens from the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of British Columbia: Working with Birds
Delicate work!
Prepping a flicker for preservation.