Great Zimbabwe Bird

thingiverse

This bird is Zimbabwe's national emblem, proudly displayed on its flag. Many intricately carved birds were discovered at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. I combined common elements from various versions to create this 3D model using Fusion360. Its hollow interior allows for filling with resin or plaster, giving it the weight and realism of stone. To print this model successfully, use a layer thickness of 0.25mm or less (I used 0.2mm) with support structures in place. Moderate infill is recommended but not strictly necessary. This bird model feels sturdy, especially after being filled with plaster. Since it's based on ancient stone carvings, giving it a stone-like appearance is ideal. I painted it with black, brown, grey, and some red pigment to bring out its natural textures. The "b" version of the model is newer and has a slightly more hollowed-out structure, along with a rounded head. The rest of the body remains unchanged. You might notice the difference in heads between the two versions in the accompanying pictures.