Thread: Ravens & Rats & Owls, oh my

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Hello all:
I've been laying low for a few weeks, trying to hunker down & get those half-finished props completed, and avoiding this forum because it is constantly giving me new ideas!
Question: anyone ever build their own critters, especially a raven, owl or rat? I searched this forum & found that a few of you use store-bought ravens & punch them up with extra feathers, etc. Looks like the "pest-control" hooting/moving owls are an easy option as well. But has anyone scratch-built anything, or converted any pre-existing props into these beasts? Just curious if there are any different ideas out there from the ones I read earlier.
Thanks in advance, as always, and stop hanging around here! We're down to 90 days!

To be honest I wouldn't know how to make one, so if you decide you'd rather buy. This page has a raven look for item number CK162 it's a pretty decent looking one.

http://www.wildlifetreasures.com/halloweenorder.htm

They also have an ebay store too which sells owls and other Halloween critters. I like the black owl they sell
http://stores.ebay.com/WILDLIFETREAS...S__W0QQ_fsubZ9

There's also a 20" Raven at the bottom of the page link below
http://www.911buycostume.com/Pages/props/props.htm

Realistic Rats:
http://www.dappercadaver.com/realist...at-p-1400.html

I saw a horrible tutorial on the instructables website where some guy stuffed real rat skin and gave it led eyes. Hmm I'd rather buy a fake one!

Wolfman Joe that is more than I would care to tackle. If you are interested in doing so, you might check out taxidermy sites like Van Dykes Taxidermy. Most of these places will sell animal forms, eyes, beaks, and pretty much whatever else you might need for a special project. I ordered my wolf nite eyes from Van Dykes last year and was very pleased with my transaction there. I saw that they sell forms for owls, crows, etc. and carry bird supplies and components so you may find what you need there or point you to someone that does. Sometimes the how-to and/or reference area is helpful as well.

Not sure where to direct you for mice and rats. I picked up a bunch of pretty realistic decent size mice last year at BigLots and am going to see if I can skin one and put it on the body of one of those Zhu Zhu type animated hampsters this year. If you can carve out some pink/blue foam to form the body, you might be able to glue on some hairy fabric and add eyes and such. Nylon thread might work for whiskers. And I suppose a nose could be made out of some molding clay. Van Dykes might have some eyes that might work or maybe even black glass beads from a craft supply store might work. I can't say that I've ever seen sources for specifically mice or rats.