How to Taxidermy a Duck

Lay the duck on its back. Locate the breastbone by pressing your finger along the chest until you find a bone in the center, running from the neck to between the legs. Cut an incision, starting at 1 inch from the base of the neck and running all the way down the breast to the anus, in one smooth movement.

Pull back the skin on either side of the opening with your fingers. Remove the inside of the duck and skin around the tail area, legs and wings. Don't remove the bones of the legs and wings. Take care not to damage the tail quills, feathers and outer skin.

Form a model out of wood wool, of which to stuff the bird. Use the insides you have removed and copy this shape.

Wash the duck, to clear it of grease, in a tub of dishwashing liquid. When it's completely clean, dry the plumage with a hair-dryer.

Insert wires through the body of the duck, in replacement of the removed muscle and skeleton. Stuff the bird with the wood wool model to hold its body in a natural form.

Remove the duck's eyes and insert marble copies into the sockets. Arrange the plumage to make the bird look natural, removing and replacing any feathers that are damaged. Position the bird itself on a mount in a natural stance. Store the finished duck in a case to keep it best preserved.