Macaw Feathers

Pet Birds As The Star Of The Show

Your birds not only served as feathered companions, for years they have played a great role in inspiring some of the most popular songs, movies, and even fashion.  Pet birds do not just display their feathers for their owners and family but are also muses for works of art.

In the music industry, here are some popular songs about birds and what they were about:

• Three Little Birds -  this song was by Bob Marley and is a very upbeat tune that you would surely love listening to.

• Blackbird – the song popularized by Beatles defeated the usual misconception about blackbirds.  Blackbirds are usually taken in a bad way but was used as a symbol of hope in this song.

• Rockin’ Robin – who would not know this song by Bobby Day?  This popular song can be both enjoyed by you and your feathered friend.

• Free as a Bird – another Beatles song which refers to bird’s freedom.

• Yellow Bird – this song by Chris Isaak is full of emotions and is about being free and flying away from problems.

It seems that people cannot get enough out of birds, unsatisfied with songs about their flying ability and other characteristics, birds became subject of movies and documentaries. 

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill was released in 2003.This movie was a touching documentary of a rock musician who turned into a conure caretaker in San Francisco was directed by Judy Irving.   This movie is great for bird and non-bird enthusiasts.  In the documentary, not only did Mark Bittner help in preserving the flock of birds, these birds also helped him find his personal and professional path.

In 2005, the March of the Penguins guided us to a wonderful and educational world of emperor penguins.Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for the year 2005 was won by this documentary.In the original French version of the documentary, the penguins were dubbed in such a way as if they were talking among themselves.  In the American version, it was narrated by Morgan Freeman.This documentary is all about the survival of the emperor penguins in extremely hard condition. 

Fictional bird movies would include Paulie (1998) and The Real Macaw (1997).  Most of these fictional movies would be about the adventures and misadventures of birds and their pet owners, who are usually children.

Other than gracing our silver screen they were also features for some great photographs. Bird photography is one of the most popular kinds of nature photography.  Bird photography, especially taking pictures of birds in the wild is very challenging.  Bird photographers should not only know the technical aspect of taking pictures but should also be knowledgeable and understanding of bird behaviour. 

But domesticated birds can also post as models.  You just have to know how to set up your background and engage your bird so you can easily them pictures.  Just make sure when taking pictures to take several snap shots so that you can choose the best one.

Speaking of bird models, our avian friends have also served inspiration for some interesting fashion.   Designer Caroline Baker has shown bird- inspired clothing in the Charleston Fashion Week last March 2009.   She have referred to her fashion line, the Plumage Collection,  as “eco couture.”  The collection was consisted of 14  bird inspired outfits. 

It looks like of feathered friends are not only pets after all.  The next time we look at our pet bird, maybe they could serve as inspiration for us to make a work of art.

Preening my Green Winged Macaw , and picking her pin feathers