Characteristics of modern artificial bodies used in bird taxidermy

Starting from the simplest artificial bodies made of paper/paper wrapped with thread, without using any anatomical landmarks,we have nowadays reached the production of complex and anatomically complete ar-tificial bodies. This has been made possible primarily by a thorough anatomical study of the bird's natural body (carcass), combined with morphological framing of the bird, and access to modern, high-performance mate-rials (high-density polyurethane foam). Modern artifi-cial bodies made on the basis of detailed measure-ments, using anatomical elements as references, are one of the most important steps in the naturalisation process, thus ensuring anatomically correct reproduc-tion of the bird's natural body. In this article, two state-of-the-art artificial bodies corresponding to static and dynamic/flying postures are examined in detail. In ge-neral conclusion, in modern taxidermy, the use of arti-ficial bodies ensures faithful reproduction of the shape and dimensions of the carcass, according to the chosen posture. The introduction of complex artificial bodies in the naturalisation process represents a real success in professional taxidermy, with the exhibits obtained rea-ching the highest level of performance.