Cleaning bird skulls can be a tricky process that requires patience and care. When done properly, you can end up with a beautiful specimen to display or use for educational purposes. In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about cleaning bird skulls, from the supplies you’ll need to each step of the cleaning process. We will also provide tips for dealing with particularly delicate skulls and stubborn tissue remnants. Whether you found a skull while out hiking or are preparing a bird specimen of your own, this guide will help you clean it properly. So read on to learn all about cleaning bird skulls!
Why Clean Bird Skulls?
There are a few main reasons someone may want to clean a bird skull they found or harvested:
- Display – Cleaned skulls make beautiful and educational displays. Bird skulls in particular showcase unique beak shapes and designs based on a bird’s diet and lifestyle.
- Study – Scientists and students can learn a lot from examining cleaned bird skulls closely, including identifying species and observing adaptations.
- Preservation – Cleaning removes rotting tissue that could cause the skull to degrade over time. This preserves the skull for future generations.
- Hygiene – Fresh skulls still have tissue, brain matter, and other remains that can carry bacteria and parasites. Cleaning makes handling them safer.
- Aesthetics – Simply put, cleaned white bones look much more appealing than gunky rotting remains.
Cleaning allows the skull to be handled, observed, and appreciated without the mess and smell of decay. Next we will go over the supplies you need to get started.
Supplies Needed
Before you start scrubbing away, make sure you have gathered the appropriate supplies:
- Gloves – Rubber gloves keep your hands protected.
- Eye protection – Safety glasses prevent cleaning products from splashing into your eyes.
- Face mask (optional) – A standard disposable face mask can block smells and prevent you from inhaling small bone particles.
- Stiff bristle brush – This is key for scrubbing off stubborn tissue and debris.
- Toothbrush – The soft bristles help clean nooks and crannies that are hard to reach.
- Toothpicks/wooden skewers – Useful for picking at and dislodging debris in tight spaces.
- Cotton swabs – Also good for reaching into small or delicate areas.
- Spray bottle – For wetting the skull while cleaning.
- 3% hydrogen peroxide solution – This bubbles away and dissolves remaining soft tissue.
- Dish soap/laundry detergent – Helps remove oils and grease from the bones.
- 50/50 vinegar & water solution – Removes stains and whitens bones. Can also kill bacteria.
- Bleach (optional) – Further disinfects if desired. Use sparingly, as it can damage bones.
Gather all these supplies ahead of time so they are ready to go before starting the cleaning process. Safety is paramount when working with the chemical cleaning agents, so be sure to use them cautiously according to directions.
Preparation Steps
Once you have the skull and the supplies, you’ll need to take some initial preparation steps before scrubbing can begin:
- Put on protective gear – Gloves, apron, eye protection, etc. This protects you from bacteria, chemicals, and bone shards.
- Remove as much tissue as possible – Carefully cut or peel away any flesh, cartilage, or other soft tissue sticking to the skull. Start external and work your way into nooks and cavities.
- Soak in water – Let the skull soak for 24-48 hours. This rehydrates dried tissue to make it easier to remove later.
- Remove from water & air dry – Dry it off completely before starting cleaning. Moisture will hinder cleaning chemicals.
Taking these simple steps allows you to remove the bulk of tissue before scrubbing away at the smaller remnants stuck to the bone. Always take care when handling the skull at this stage, as the bone may be fragile.
Cleaning the Skull
Now comes the tough part – actually scrubbing off every last bit of debris until only polished bone remains! Here are the steps:
- Fill spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide – This is the workhorse chemical for removing tissue. Have towels ready to catch bubbling overflow!
- Spray problem areas and let bubble – The peroxide will fizz and bubble up debris. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
- Scrub with stiff bristle brush – Scrub vigorously but carefully to slough off debris lifted by peroxide.
- Use toothbrush for detailed areas – Switch to a toothbrush for hard to reach crevices.
- Swab with cotton swabs – Excellent for getting into the tightest spaces like nasal cavities and ear holes.
- Pick at stuck bits with toothpicks – Carefully dig out any clinging pieces.
- Spray down with vinegar solution – The mild acid dissolves mineral deposits and whitens bone.
- Review & repeat – Check for any remaining stubs of tissue. Repeat peroxide, scrubbing, picking until bone is clean.
- Rinse thoroughly – Rinse away all chemicals with plain water once done.
- Allow to dry fully – Ensure there is no moisture before moving to next steps.
Take your time working through each phase. Rushing can cause damage, so carefully remove debris bit by bit until gleaming bone remains. Avoid immersing the skull entirely in liquid, as this can compromise the delicate sinus cavities.
Whitening the Bone
Once cleaned, you may find the bone is stained or discolored. Whitening returns it to a bright uniform white. There are a few effective methods:
- 3% hydrogen peroxide – Apply this with a swab or toothbrush to whiten specific stains.
- Vinegar soak – Soak the skull for 2-3 days in undiluted white vinegar, changing the solution each day.
- Sun bleaching – Allow the skull to sit in direct sunlight for several days. Flip occasionally. Avoid if bones are fragile.
- Professional whitening kits – Products like Covington’s Bone Whitener are highly effective but cost more.
Never use bleach or harsh chemicals to whiten bones as they can cause irreparable damage. Be patient and stick to gentler methods. Some stains may be impossible to fully remove.
Degreasing the Skull
Bone is porous and can absorb oil and grease during the cleaning process. Degreasing draws these out for a final clean:
- Mix warm water with dish or laundry soap – Use enough soap to make the water quite sudsy.
- Fully submerge skull – Allow to soak for 1-2 days. Agitate periodically to create suds.
- Scrub with toothbrush & rinse – Scrub away any greasy residue and rinse thoroughly.
- Repeat if needed – Grease may take multiple cycles to fully remove.
Avoid using harsh solvents like acetone that could damage or dry out the bone. Mild dish detergent is very effective at drawing out bone grease with patience.
Disinfecting the Skull
If you wish to fully disinfect the cleaned skull for safety, you can use:
- 70% isopropyl alcohol – Wipe down exterior surfaces with alcohol-dampened cloth.
- 3% hydrogen peroxide – Use a spray bottle to thoroughly coat all areas.
- 10% bleach solution – Only use for 5 minutes before rinsing to avoid damage.
- Boiling water – Fully submerge the skull for 10-15 minutes. Allow to completely air dry after.
Disinfecting the skull is optional, but eliminates any risks from bacteria or pathogens. Be very careful if using bleach, as it can react with bone. Never microwave bones to disinfect, as this damages them.
Sealing the Skull
The final step is applying a sealant to protect and preserve the cleaned skull. Products like polyurethane or lacquer work well:
- Make sure skull is fully dry before sealing – Any moisture will cloud the sealant.
- Apply 2-3 thin coats of sealant – Follow directions on product. Several light coats are better than one thick one.
- Allow to fully cure between coats – Curing times vary based on humidity and product used.
- Display out of direct sunlight – UV exposure can still damage a sealed skull over time.
Avoid paint or varnish, as these can flake over time and damage the bone underneath. Be sure to seal the underside and interior cavities too. Now your skull is gleaming and protected for display!
Tips for Difficult Skulls
Some skulls present unique challenges depending on the species and condition:
- Young skulls – Take extra care as juvenile skulls are quite delicate and porous.
- Seabirds – Salt, fish oils, and marine grime can be difficult to remove fully.
- Oily birds – The skulls of birds like cormorants require extra degreasing.
- Scavengers – skulls from vultures, raptors, etc. can carry lots of bacteria requiring disinfecting.
- Fragmented skulls – Reassemble shards using archival glue before cleaning and sealing.
Patience and the right technique for each situation will help you handle tricky skulls. Don’t rush the process. If needed, seek advice from experts online for specific species issues.
Legalities of Cleaning Bird Skulls
It’s important to note that there are laws governing the collection and possession of bird remains. These include:
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act – Protects all native North American bird species. You cannot possess any parts, including bones, without permits.
- Endangered Species Act – Prohibits possession of protected endangered animal remains. Severe fines result.
- State laws – Many states limit collecting wildlife parts like skulls without hunting/taxidermy permits.
Research your local regulations before cleaning any bird skull you did not obtain yourself. Only legally-acquired skulls can be ethically cleaned and displayed.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning bird skulls takes time, elbow grease, and care – but the results are well worth it. With the right technique and supplies, you can process challenging skulls into beautiful specimens to use for scientific study or artful display. Make sure to educate yourself on safety and legalities first. And please remember to appreciate the life each skull represents as you unveil the bones beneath.