From a sombrero- 

The step by step is below. 

Covering the sombrero in wax to give it body.  

Heating the wax until it completely soaks into the straw.  

Lastly I shape it into a pigeon while it is hot. 

I am creating a sculpture a week of a German beak trumpeter pigeon with leg muffs. Each week I use a different material.  This pigeon was Picasso' peace dove.