A plain background helps loads.
(a couple of sheets of A4 would do)
We're trying to work out what a three dimensional object looks like from a 2D image.
You have the advantage of knowing what it looks like properly before you take the photo, so when you see the image, it looks as it should.
But to us, who don't have that advantage, we can't really work out what bit is where and reflections from stuff in the background don't help.
The carpet? seems to reflect up into one bird's body and then the up into the tips of the others' wings.
Did you use the very closest-close-up feature of the camera? On enlargement, they seem to go out of focus, so detail is lost.
And it is sideways on, turning it around 90 degrees would help too.
Do get in touch if you're stuck.