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.