 Art directors Nilo Rodis and Dave Carson designed the Klingon Bird of Prey , while George constructed the model . Nimoy wanted the ship to be reminiscent of an attacking bird , with movable wings that changed depending on whether the ship was in a cruising or attack posture . George took design cues from sketches of bodybuilders and football players , incorporating the starship equivalents of down @-@ stretched , threatening arms and muscular shoulders , together with what looked like shoulder pads and a chin guard on the ship 's outstretched neck . Although the stolen Romulan ship thread was cut from the film , the Bird of Prey design had incorporated elements of Romulan design . " It has some of the basic bird shape , but it 's more ominous " , Ralston said . A graphic bird design was integrated into the ship 's underside . 
