Feather art is a kind of taxidermy that uses a bird's feathers to make a framed picture. Instead of stuffing the whole bird, the artist lays out the feathers — like the turkey fan, wings, and body feathers — and frames them so they hang flat on a wall like a painting.

Is feather art the same as taxidermy?

Feather art is a type of taxidermy, but it is not the same as a regular mount. A regular mount makes the whole bird look alive on a shelf. Feather art uses just the feathers and frames them flat on the wall. Both keep your bird, but they look very different.

How much does feather art cost?

Feather art usually costs less than a full mount. Pieces start around $400 for a simple turkey diamond and go up from there. Custom pieces and tables cost more. You can see all the prices on our pricing page.

What birds can be used for feather art?

Turkey, ducks and other waterfowl, and upland birds like pheasant all work great for feather art. Any bird with pretty feathers can be turned into art.

How long does feather art take to make?

A standard feather art piece usually takes about 6 to 9 months from the day we get your bird to the day we ship it back. Rush options are available if you need it sooner.

What Is Feather Art? A Hunter's Guide to the Craft

April 24, 2026

Walk into most taxidermy shops and you will see stuffed birds on shelves. Walk into ours and you will see something different. You will see feathers, framed like art and hung on the wall.

This craft has a name. It is called feather art. It has been around for a long time, but only lately have hunters started asking for it by name. If you found this page and you are not sure what feather art is, this post is for you. We will keep it simple.

What is feather art? A simple answer

Feather art is a way to keep your bird by framing its feathers instead of stuffing the whole bird. The artist takes the best feathers — the turkey fan, the wings, and the body feathers — and lays them out in a frame. Then it hangs on your wall, flat, like a painting or a photo.

You can see every color. You can see the shiny purple, the striped wings, and the long tail feathers. They are all laid out for your eyes to enjoy.

How feather art is different from a regular mount

A regular mount tries to make the whole bird look alive again. The taxidermist takes the skin, puts it over a foam shape, and poses the bird like it is standing or flying. That is a great skill. But it has some downsides:

It takes up space. A full turkey mount needs a shelf or its own corner.
It can get damaged. Feathers get bumped and dusty over the years.
It looks like a trophy. That is great for a trophy room, but it can look out of place in a dining room or office.

Feather art fixes these problems. Because it hangs flat in a frame:

It fits on any wall, just like a picture.
It stays clean behind the frame and glass.
It looks like art, so it fits in any room of your house.

Feather art does not replace a regular mount. It is just a different choice for a different room and a different budget.

The main styles of feather art

There are a few feather art styles you will see again and again. Here are the most popular ones.

The Diamond Turkey

This is the most famous feather art piece. The turkey fan is opened up against a background of body feathers in a diamond-shaped frame. The beard runs down the middle and the wings spread out like rays. It is bold and even on both sides.

The Double Wing Turkey

This one uses both wings, spread out wide, in a rectangle frame. It is wider than the diamond, so it looks great above a couch or fireplace.

Open Wing Waterfowl

This style is built around a duck’s wing. One open wing sits on each side with body feathers in the middle. The shiny colors in duck wings really stand out.

Pheasant Pieces

Pheasant feathers have lots of color — copper, white, green, and long striped tail feathers. These pieces are usually tall to show off the long tail.

Custom Grand Slam Pieces

This is where feather art becomes special. You can frame a grand slam, a father’s last hunt, or the last bird your dog ever brought back. These pieces are more than decoration. They become family keepsakes.

Who is feather art for?

Feather art might be for you if:

You hunt turkey, ducks, or upland birds and want to keep the feathers from a special hunt.
You do not have room or money for lots of full mounts.
You want something that looks like art in any room.
You have a hunt that meant a lot to you and want to remember it.
You want to learn the craft yourself. (See our tutorials or in-person training.)

How a feather art piece is made

At our studio, every feather art piece is made in the same basic steps:

We plan the design. For custom pieces, we agree on the frame size and style with you first.
You ship us the bird. Send it to us frozen, using our shipping and prep guide. A clean bird makes a better piece.
We sort the feathers. The wings and fan are cleaned and set in place. The body feathers are sorted by size and color.
We lay out the piece. The feathers are placed in the pattern you chose. This is the slowest and most careful step.
We build the frame. A hand-built wood frame goes around the piece. Glass is an option for fancy pieces.
We ship it to you. Your finished piece is packed safely and shipped to your door.

A standard piece usually takes about 6 to 9 months from start to finish.

What does feather art cost?

The price depends on your bird and the style you pick. Here is the range you can expect:

Turkey wall pieces — $400 to $1,895
Duck and waterfowl pieces — $550 to $900
Upland birds, like pheasant — $300 to $900
Custom tables — $4,095 and up

You can see the full price list on our pricing page.

Want to learn feather art yourself?

We have six video tutorials that teach you how to make feather art step by step. Each one is about 20 to 30 minutes. You get them for life, plus help from Heath when you get stuck.

Want to learn in person? Our in-person training in Michigan walks you through a whole piece in one day.

Ready to frame your bird?

Maybe you have a turkey in the freezer or a fan on the shelf. We would love to make your feather art piece. See our pricing, look at the gallery, or send us a message and we will help you pick the right option for your bird.