Learning New Skills – Preparing Study Skins
by Bryce W. Robinson
From left to right: Sora – Porzana carolina, 2 male Brown-headed Cowbirds – Molothrus ater, 2 female Brown-headed Cowbirds – Molothrus ater, all drying after preparation.
I’ve embarked on a new adventure in my ornithological education. I am now learning how to prepare study skins for museum collections with the help of my advisor Dr. David Anderson. My personal catalogue number 001 is a female Brown-headed Cowbird – Molothrus ater (farthest right specimen in the photo).
This is a new experience for me, and one that I’ve been looking forward to for a very long time. I’ll be sharing what I learn along the way.
ornithologi.com 
This is great. Looking forward to this.
Thanks Jamie. Glad to hear you’re into it!
Bryce, where do you get the birds for this study?
We get the Brown-headed Cowbirds from Louisiana State University. I collected quite a few specimens in Alaska that were victims of vehicle collision. I’m looking forward to preparing those specimens.