I am currently making a covered cockatoo puppet with a foam base, which needs to have both a movable mouth and a movable crest. I am currently on my third foam prototype as I just cannot seem to get the shape of the bird perfect. Is it possible that anyone knows of a really good bird pattern that's available or any suggestions on perfecting the shape. I would be really grateful for any suggestions!
Thank You

What part of the "shape" are you struggling with?  Do you have any examples to show of what you already have tried so perhaps folks can give you feed back and suggestions on how to alter it?  I don't know of any patterns out there that are specifically for a bird.

I took a look at your puppet photos.  Love the soccer ball and turtle.  I think the turtle would be a good place for you to start with the bird.  The shape of the top of the puppets head would be a good shape for a birds head.  Take a look at Axtells Cackatoo  http://www.axtell.com/cockatoo.html  as well as Pavlovs http://www.pavlovspuppets.com/cockatoo_green.htm.  Notice that the beak is an exaggerated version of a real beak.  If you look at Axtells  the mouth plate is wider at the hinge and curves to a semi point in the front.  

 

These photos are of a longer beak, but all you'd need to do is shorten the beak and round the pattern up more to create the look of the Cockatoo's beak.

I have another photos of a Flamingo/Parrot that might be helpful.   Again...shrink down the size of the beak and round the foam more to create the more curved beak.

Julie

 :)Thank you so much for your suggestions. Sometimes the answer is staring you in the face in regards to using the turtle head shape. I will try and post a photo of the one having I'm problems with. Though I know I will be up early in the morning ready to try again with the turtle head as a base!

After wasting an awful lot of foam. I finally figured out the cockatoo puppet shape. Thank you to Out of the box puppets for your suggestions. Having tried the turtle head pattern and finding it wasn't the right look, I went with their picture of the flamingo beak they posted. I worked out the shape of the Cockatoos beak first and then attached a skull. Still an awful of hand sewing to do and then, the movable crest( This is in place already and moves well ( just need to figure out how to attach the crest feathers )

Looking good.  I was just wonder how the project was going.  Can't wait to see it complete. 

Julie

Great work! I think you really captured the shape and silhouette right no the "beak".

Thank you and as soon as he's finished I shall post a photo...

Umbrella Cock a too. it is isn't it? One of my favorite birds. I had to look close there for a minute. I wonder if you could do some type of movable mechanics to make his head crest flare out like the picture below.

It will be a wonderful puppet when it is finished - can't wait to see it! I think the beak is great!

We have the mechanics for the crest already in place. Just waiting on some feathers to arrive and if they don't work may have to make the crest out of fleece.Thank you for all your comments. I am getting rather attached to him and I am going to have trouble letting him go.

The cockatoo looks great Adelaide Puppets! So much nicer than the usual puppets you find in tourism shops here