Colorado waterfowl specialist
Waterfowl Taxidermy in Northern Colorado
A hard-earned duck or goose deserves more than a generic mount. Flight-feather Taxidermy creates detailed, lifelike waterfowl mounts that keep the character of the bird and the memory of the hunt close at hand.
Built around the bird
From the first look to the final pose, the details matter.
Waterfowl has a way of showing every shortcut. Feather direction, clean transitions around the head, a natural wing set and the right body attitude all change how a duck or goose reads across the room. Bo works as a bird specialist, with the patience to study the species and the restraint to let the bird do the talking.
Whether it was a first greenhead, a late-season drake, a trophy goose or a bird from a hunt you have waited years to make, the goal is the same: a mount you are proud to live with, not just one you hang because you have to.
The right starting point
Good field care protects what makes a waterfowl mount special.
The best work starts before the bird reaches the shop. Keep your bird cool, carry it by the feet when you can, and protect the breast, head, wings and tail from moisture, rubbing and crushing. Do not gut, breast or skin a bird intended for taxidermy. Leave it whole, bag it carefully and freeze it promptly.
That simple discipline gives the mount its best raw material. It also gives you more flexibility when choosing a pose, whether you picture a clean standing mount, a bird in flight or something more involved with driftwood and habitat.
Read the bird field-care guideA straightforward process
Bring a clear memory of the hunt. Bo will help shape the rest.
Call early
Call when you have the bird, especially if there is shot damage or you are unsure about care. A quick conversation can protect options before the freezer door closes.
Choose the direction
Bring a few notes or photos from the hunt if a particular moment, habitat or pose matters to you. Your bird and your space should lead the decision.
Trust the details
Bo plans the mount around the species, plumage and condition of your bird, then builds it with the same close attention he would expect for his own bird.
For the birds worth keeping
Ducks, geese and more, handled with species-specific care.
Waterfowl is not one look repeated at different sizes. A mallard, teal, wigeon, canvasback, diver or goose each carries its own proportions, feather patterns and posture. The pose needs to work with the bird in front of you, not force it into an idea that belonged to another mount.
Flight-feather Taxidermy takes on ducks, geese, mergansers, sea ducks, swans and other waterfowl. Current prices cover common species, and Bo can talk through birds outside that list, special requests and scene work when you call.
Review waterfowl pricingPlanning a mount that feels right
The pose should bring you back to the hunt, not compete with it.
A standing mount gives the plumage, breast and head a clean, close-up read. It is a good choice when you want the bird to feel at home on a shelf, mantle or office wall without needing a large scene around it. It can also be the right answer for a bird with particularly strong color or head detail. The best standing poses still have movement in them, whether that is a slight turn of the head, a relaxed body angle or a careful relationship to the driftwood.
Flying mounts make a stronger statement and can be especially satisfying when the memory of the hunt is movement: birds working over decoys, a clean retrieve or the way a flock broke from the marsh. They need room, however. Before choosing one, look honestly at the wall, ceiling height and traffic around the place it will live. A mount should have breathing room, not become something everyone has to duck under.
Habitat and scene work are there to support the bird, not bury it. A piece of driftwood comes with each mount, while more involved scene work is planned after Bo sees the bird and hears what you have in mind. The right amount of habitat can suggest a shoreline, field edge or marsh without turning the finished piece into a stage set. If you are torn between ideas, bring photos of the room and the hunt. They make the practical choices easier.
It is also worth thinking about the bird you actually brought home. A late-season drake with clean plumage may ask for a presentation that keeps those feathers in view. A bird with a small repairable flaw may have a better side or angle. That is not settling. It is the advantage of working with the bird instead of against it, and it is where a specialist's eye earns its keep.
Good planning also respects the practical side of ownership. Think about sunlight, ceiling height, cleaning access and the distance from which you will usually see the piece. A mount made for a den can ask for a different scale than one that will be the first thing visitors see in an entryway. Those choices help the finished work feel intentional for years, not just impressive the day it comes home.
Flight-feather portfolio
See the feather work up close.
Every bird asks for its own balance of movement, detail and restraint. The waterfowl gallery is the best place to get a feel for the work and to save a few ideas before you call.
Browse the full waterfowl gallery
Common questions
Before you bring your bird in
What waterfowl does Flight-feather Taxidermy mount?
Flight-feather Taxidermy works with ducks, geese, mergansers, sea ducks, swans and other waterfowl. If your bird is not listed in the current pricing, call Bo to talk through it before making the trip.
How should I care for a duck or goose before taxidermy?
Keep it cool, clean and dry, then bag it carefully and freeze it whole as soon as you can. Do not breast, gut or skin a bird meant for mounting. The field-care guide gives the full step-by-step routine.
Can a bird with shot damage still be mounted?
Often, yes. A specialist can assess many kinds of damage, but the best answer depends on where the bird was hit and the pose you have in mind. Take a few clear photos and call before doing more to the bird.
What does a waterfowl mount cost?
Current duck mounts begin at $550, with pricing varying by species and size. Review the current pricing page, then call Bo for anything unusual or for a more involved scene.
Ready when you are
Let's give your waterfowl the treatment it earned.
Call Bo with the species, condition and any pose ideas you have. If email is easier, the contact page is there when you are ready.