/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

I'm trying to make a whooping crane costume. I'm not a furry, I'm just involved in wildlife preservation a lot and thought it'd be neat to make. I can't find a decent tutorial for a crane or similar bird, so I dunno what to do.

Should I make the crane's head rest on my head or should I give it a long neck with the head up above?

What material should the beak be?

If anyone has a bird tutorial that'd be great. I don't know where to look for fursuit things. I've made costumes before, but never an animal costume. Wings and general head stuff are easy, the beak and positioning of the head are where I'm at a loss.