Can any one help me with a prop bird? We used a styrofoam bird and dropped it from the ceiling. Needless to say it bounced rather than landing with a thud. We are doing Beauty and the Beast and want it to look some what realistic! Thanks in advance

Take one dark colored balloon, don't inflate, but cut off the top and fill with sand, securely tie the top with wire.  Now with low temp hot glue gun, glue cardboard wings, head and tale to birdie.  Now glue feathers, spray paint appropriately.  When you drop the bird, the wings will flop up and body will land with the sand filled body downward--thud.  No bounce is likely--and if it does bounce, then that bounce would be 'realistic' and bird will look quite dead.