Photo by Dave Womach Location: Asheville, NC Modeling for: Nika Collection on Etsy

Because I'm in show business, I change my look A LOT. I do it not only with performing on stage, but also off stage with my modeling. This includes wearing bright things, wearing bland things, and wearing shiny things! Costumes that can be scary or distracting, some sexy and petite, and a lot of changing the color of my hair...

I've tried sneaking by my parrots backstage before. Once the show is over, they know it's dinner time followed by bed time and they are looking forward to it! Just like I am. So sometimes I want to unwind or do something right before grabbing them but they never let me get away with it...

I've gone as far as putting a hooded sweatshirt on and running full speed backstage, and the screams STILL follow after me! Like someone saying, "You're not fooling anyone! I know it's you!" my birds are clever, and it's like they recognize me by the sound my feet make no matter what shoes I wear. Or maybe by my walk. But definitely not by the color of my hair or what I'm wearing. Those things don't seem to matter when it comes to me and my birds. Let me know you what I mean... 

Photo by Dave Womach Location: Asheville, NC Shown: Congo African Grey "Cressi"

I wear clip in extensions, real extensions, have dyed my hair black underneath, worn hair pieces of every kind, wigs of my natural color and other colors, and so maybe my birds are just used to it.

When I got his crazy new red hair going on, everyone was like, "Oh my gosh, how will your birds react?!" and I knew my birds would be caring LESS. Thus is what happened.

Any crazy stories of you having the same experience? I know a lot of people actually find it the opposite. I remember one day in Orlando when my husband wore a very orange shirt and none of our birds would go near him until he took it off. I was wearing an orange shirt too, but not the same color orange (it was around Halloween...) apparently mine looked better than his ;)

Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.