Last time, I made quite a few alterations. This time around, I’m planning to just stick to the pattern. I’m using a heavy worsted yarn with a 4.0mm hook. It’s a bit tight, but workable.

I followed the pattern, except when I got to the beak/bill. I didn’t like the way mine turned out, so I ripped it out and redid it. Just a very simple, small oval. Chain a certain number (7? I can’t recall…), then go back and put one sc per chain till you get to the end. An extra sc or two in the last chain, then 1 sc per chain up the other side. (Or something like that.)