Tell me your birds feather sizes for art idea

Kiwibird

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I am looking into ways I could do customization without the nightmare of individual pet portraits (I have learned my lesson lol!). I was thinking that in a shadow box frame, a framed print or some kind of 3D cutout of the species drawing could be combined artfully with the actual mounted feathers and some kind of ā€œnameplateā€œ of the persons individual bird. Since macaws are the largest parrots, Iā€™m looking at possible frame pricing and wondering how big of a frame would even be needed to accommodate those big long tail feathers? What about other parrots? Smaller birds have smaller feathers Iā€™m not all that familiar with size wise either. Anyone want to take a quick moment to measure the tail/wing feathers of your bird and tell me the species for me:D It would be much appreciated!

Feedback on this idea would be nice too;) I did a quick mockup as an idea of what Iā€™m thinking, though Iā€™m fairly certain different birds or more than one bird per frame might change frame and feather orientation. Not going to be selling anything until well into the new year, but curious if anyone might even be interested in this kind of thing and how much would you pay? Would you want a kit to assemble yourself with your feathers at home or to send in your feathers and receive a fully complete framed piece of art? Multiple birds per frame (that would be a pretty big and pricey frame though unless weā€™re talking budgies)? Whatever feedback you have!

htrwC8a.jpg
 

bug_n_flock

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Jan 2, 2018
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Isolated Holler in the Appalachian Wilderness
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B&G Macaw, Galah, 5 cockatiels, 50 billion and a half budgies. We breed and do rescue. Too many to list each individual's name and age etc, but they are each individuals and loved dearly.
[Insert starry eyed emoji]


Beautiful! Let me know when and where I can order from you and I will want at least a few! If you do a standard species art that will work with many birds, but what about birds with many color morphs like cockatiels, gcc's, quakers, and especially budgies?



As for feather length whooooooo BOY! You probably want to steer away from tail feathers for the big macs. Freedom(B&G)'s longest tail feathers are like 2/3 feet long if I had to guess(don't have one handy to measure). But the good news is macs have plenty of other lovely smaller feathers too. I've been saving them and will get crafty with them one of these days.



But seriously though. Consider me interested, and if you have a waitlist put me on it! The vrilliance of this idea is that even if someone's fid has passed away they can be honored this way if they have saved a couple of feathers.
 

Bundiibird

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Bundiibird - Alex - hatched 31/08/09
& Millie - BFA - hatched 29/10/14 & Willow - CAG - hatched 30/10/19
I can help with an alexandrine. Bundiiā€™s tail feathers are between 34-36 cm long. Her wing feathers are approx 10-12 cm long. Again these all vary but this is kind of an average.

Millie said she wonā€™t share since you have the amazing Kiwi to measure off, although she is somewhat smaller (weight size than Kiwi) so I would be interested to see if her feathers are smaller.
 

SailBoat

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A very interesting concept there...

From memory (referencing tail feathers here), the Mac's are the longest of the Parrot feathers with their tail feathers laying out between 24" (610 mm) to as long as 28" (710 mm). Like Hawks, Too's have very wide tail feathers, with their tail feathers easily see over 2" (50+ mm),

May want to look at sets of feathers, either Wing or Tail. following either color variation, shape (bow) or both.

It would seem that with the big guys, you would need to move to your larger works. This based on the upper limit of the simple small art not being able to be enlarger beyond certain points before being overwhelmed by the space between them (the lines). As you know, not an artist, but just my two cents.

Yup, love the concept!
And Julio would likely love one also.
I will think about the pricing and get back with you later.
 
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Rozalka

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I have a small collection of my fids (and not only but mainly) feathers. I've just took two comparison photos of them. On the first one are wing feathers from left to right: budgie, green cheeked conure and Bourke's parrot. I know the budgie one has a tragic appearance because I found it few years After death of Limonka (it's her feather).
On the second photo there are tail feathers. From left to right: cockatiel (not my parrot), budgie, gcc and Bourke
10ccc7efd3315f4fc5e42aa4227b0dfe.jpg
b6fc6c599334797807dff835d2a6d35d.jpg


Wysłane z mojego Redmi 5 przy użyciu Tapatalka
 
OP
Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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Seriously, you guys are awesome! Especially the photos! Besides being different sizes, I hadnā€™t considered the differences in shape. Or using an arrangement of feathers. And with macaws, perhaps feathers from other parts of the body would work better for this particular style of art because they are so big. I just kind of had this idea randomly pop into my head last night and wanted to not forget it.

Regarding the series of birds Iā€™m drawing, I have considered some variations. I did do, for example, a cockatiel in more grays and yellows for the more typical coloration and one in more pale pastels with lutino/white cockatiels in mind. I drew 2 very different budgies, one the typical green and yellow, one in blues. I plan to do a green and blue IRN, parrotlet and quakers. Trying to cover the most popular colorations/species but I canā€™t do them ALL. One thing I can do if someone has more than one of the same bird is a mirrored image and patterned or unpatterned.
 

Rozalka

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Besides being different sizes, I hadnā€™t considered the differences in shape.
I don't think they really have different shapes, maybe a bit. The budgie wing feather is destroyed because I found it in a notebook so I don't advise to sugest with its shape;), I showed it only for size because I haven't collected another one
Ok, I noticed budgie tail feathers are narrower...
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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Besides being different sizes, I hadnā€™t considered the differences in shape.
I don't think they really have different shapes, maybe a bit. The budgie wing feather is destroyed because I found it in a notebook so I don't advise to sugest with its shape;), I showed it only for size because I haven't collected another one
Ok, I noticed budgie tail feathers are narrower...

While your birds feathers are fairly similar in shape, look at them compared to my amazons wing and tail feather in the mock up I did;) A lot more differences there! I wonder if itā€™s a new world/old world thing but will have to do a little more looking into feather shapes too!
 

SailBoat

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Besides being different sizes, I hadnā€™t considered the differences in shape.
I don't think they really have different shapes, maybe a bit. The budgie wing feather is destroyed because I found it in a notebook so I don't advise to sugest with its shape;), I showed it only for size because I haven't collected another one
Ok, I noticed budgie tail feathers are narrower...

While your birds feathers are fairly similar in shape, look at them compared to my amazons wing and tail feather in the mock up I did;) A lot more differences there! I wonder if itā€™s a new world/old world thing but will have to do a little more looking into feather shapes too!

You are so very correct regarding New World Parrots, especially the mid to larger Amazons. With time, it becomes fairly easy to even identify which wing and where on the wing the feather came from.

The inclusion of shape may define whether the Parrot glides more or works extensively between the tree branches.



Regarding market pricing. The first reality is: What the Market will Support! And, Location, Locations, Location.

A B&G Mac with a set of Primary Wing Feathers positioned in their natural location, a large portrait with Species, Name and Date(s) along the bottom, mounted and framed with a simply black frame could be in the 700 to 1200 USD market. Shipping not included.

A DYH Amazon with a set of Primary Wing Feathers positioned in their natural location, a large portrait with Species, Name and Date(s) along the bottom, mounted and framed with a simply black frame could be in the 500 to 950 USD market. Shipping not included.

The cost for a smaller Parrot very quickly runs into the base cost of supplies and Labor. Here the same configuration but with the small portrait will likely start in the 350 to 400 range running up to the 600 USD range. Shipping not included.

In truth, the 400 USD range is more likely due to the time factor. A sneeze and one has to start over, etc, etc, etc...

The pricing based on upper midwest and away from major hubs like Chicago, etc...
 
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Alehner529

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Do you sell your artwork or have a website where I can look at it? I would love to see more and purchase something!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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You are so very correct regarding New World Parrots, especially the mid to larger Amazons. With time, it becomes fairly easy to even identify which wing and where on the wing the feather came from.

The inclusion of shape may define whether the Parrot glides more or works extensively between the tree branches.



Regarding market pricing. The first reality is: What the Market will Support! And, Location, Locations, Location.

A B&G Mac with a set of Primary Wing Feathers positioned in their natural location, a large portrait with Species, Name and Date(s) along the bottom, mounted and framed with a simply black frame could be in the 700 to 1200 USD market. Shipping not included.

A DYH Amazon with a set of Primary Wing Feathers positioned in their natural location, a large portrait with Species, Name and Date(s) along the bottom, mounted and framed with a simply black frame could be in the 500 to 950 USD market. Shipping not included.

The cost for a smaller Parrot very quickly runs into the base cost of supplies and Labor. Here the same configuration but with the small portrait will likely start in the 350 to 400 range running up to the 600 USD range. Shipping not included.

In truth, the 400 USD range is more likely due to the time factor. A sneeze and one has to start over, etc, etc, etc...

The pricing based on upper midwest and away from major hubs like Chicago, etc...

You flatter me, truly:eek: Especially since I created this art series with a wide range of products beyond prints in mind (stickers, bookmarks, notecard sets etc...). I recently invested in a wide format professional printer and cutting machine, widening the scope of what I can do without using third parties.

I guess there is a lot to think about how to make framed art stand apart from smaller items. Printing on specialty papers/using specialty processes to create the bird, plus artfully hand mounting feathers (perhaps a spread of feathers?) and custom embellishments like names and dates etc... This is literally an idea that popped into my head the other night and realistically will probably take me a few months to start experimenting with/really narrowing down options.
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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Do you sell your artwork or have a website where I can look at it? I would love to see more and purchase something!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I sent you a PM but for anyone else with this question-

Right now I donā€™t have anything for sale, my website is not live and the best place to see regular art related updates is Instagram. This forum is my where I post personal stuff about my bird/connect with the bird community and only sometimes post art stuff and get opinions;)

Iā€™m going to have a new baby (of the human variety;)) any day. Realistically, I wonā€™t be doing anything again with my art until end of January/beginning of February. I do have 18 new drawings I havenā€™t been sharing ready to go, but Iā€™m also going to be taking a few weeks off to bond with and adjust to the baby. Iā€™m am already crawling up the walls though with boredom not being able to do all the things I normally do and am using art/planning a strategy of what to do next to relax my mind :p
 
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wrench13

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We have a whole jar full of Salty feathers, the longest yet is 6" or so. Some are so colorful, some are just green but nice nonetheless .
 

SailBoat

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There is Art, good Art and Art from the Heart. And yes, there is truly great Art and that Art is well beyond my ability to own.

That said, Art from the Heart, is what I enjoy and you're Art slides nicely into that group.

It is important to understand, that this specific Art quickly becomes 'custom works' as the feathers are specific to that Parrot and its owner. The majority of Artists sell 'prints,' which reduces the price as they are not the 'original works.'

Enjoy the vacation! After all, its a much better statement than boredom. Life is moments from being fully engaged again! A few weeks from today, you may look back at this vacation and... So, enjoy the moments... As you so well know, life is about to take an abort turn.





You are so very correct regarding New World Parrots, especially the mid to larger Amazons. With time, it becomes fairly easy to even identify which wing and where on the wing the feather came from.

The inclusion of shape may define whether the Parrot glides more or works extensively between the tree branches.



Regarding market pricing. The first reality is: What the Market will Support! And, Location, Locations, Location.

A B&G Mac with a set of Primary Wing Feathers positioned in their natural location, a large portrait with Species, Name and Date(s) along the bottom, mounted and framed with a simply black frame could be in the 700 to 1200 USD market. Shipping not included.

A DYH Amazon with a set of Primary Wing Feathers positioned in their natural location, a large portrait with Species, Name and Date(s) along the bottom, mounted and framed with a simply black frame could be in the 500 to 950 USD market. Shipping not included.

The cost for a smaller Parrot very quickly runs into the base cost of supplies and Labor. Here the same configuration but with the small portrait will likely start in the 350 to 400 range running up to the 600 USD range. Shipping not included.

In truth, the 400 USD range is more likely due to the time factor. A sneeze and one has to start over, etc, etc, etc...

The pricing based on upper midwest and away from major hubs like Chicago, etc...

You flatter me, truly:eek: Especially since I created this art series with a wide range of products beyond prints in mind (stickers, bookmarks, notecard sets etc...). I recently invested in a wide format professional printer and cutting machine, widening the scope of what I can do without using third parties.

I guess there is a lot to think about how to make framed art stand apart from smaller items. Printing on specialty papers/using specialty processes to create the bird, plus artfully hand mounting feathers (perhaps a spread of feathers?) and custom embellishments like names and dates etc... This is literally an idea that popped into my head the other night and realistically will probably take me a few months to start experimenting with/really narrowing down options.
 

AmyMyBlueFront

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Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
Seeing how Mr K and Amy are brothers from a different mother,you already know the dimensions. As far as Beebs goes,his longest rudder is 5.75 inches and a sleeve is 4.5



Jim
 

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