Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Musha Cay, Bahamas Meditation Parrot: Blue and Gold Macaw "Jersey" 

Dave and I got Jersey when she was 6 months old. We purchased her over the internet and had her shipped to Dave's brother. He and his wife were the first ones to meet Jersey (and her brother Chayko) and had them for a few days before Dave and I arrived to meet them.

"One of them is calm and collected, the other seems more hyper and high strung." Dave's brother said over the phone. "I want the calm one!" I said looking at Dave. "Okay..." he agreed. "I'll call her Jersey." I said.  

Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Musha Cay, Bahamas On back: Blue and Gold Macaw "Jersey" 

Little did I expect Jersey to gravitate towards Dave and for the male, later named Chayko on a road trip we took (we combined two cities names) to steal my heart away. Now Jersey's temperament has always been calm and cool, she is very easy going and gripes a bit but never means anything by it. After not seeing her for around a year, Dave was back to normal with her after just a few days on island with her. And if these pictures don't prove it, I don't know what does!

Lesson learned... parrots don't forget! And that goes for the good AND the bad.

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.