Posted: April 1, 2013, 10:30 a.m. PDT
Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. None of the accessories or clothing should be worn by a parrot. All of the accessories and clothing depicted were added to an original photo with the use of Photoshop. For factual information on Bird Grooming, please visit our Bird Diet & Health page.
By Gina Cioli/I-5 Studios/Courtesy Laura Doering
Ollie is a nanday conure looking for a new style. |
Parrots have been renowned throughout time and around the world for their beauty. They've been the focus of art and music. They've shone in the spotlight as one of nature's most beautiful creatures.
Ollie is a nanday conure, and, for much of his life, he's felt outshined by the other parrots that people claim are more beautiful. With determination in his eye, and a strut in his step, Ollie walks into Funky Bird's Beauty Salon. Funky tells him he will give him an extreme makeover that will be sure to turn heads.
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Punk Ollie
The first look Funky gives Ollie is a punk style. Ollie has to admit, there's something about it that makes him feel cool. He really digs the mohawk. Look out cockatoos and cockatiels if you think you've got rockin' head feathers … wait until you see what Ollie's sporting. He also thinks the purple eyeliner brings out the striking features of his eyes.
This look isn't all high-fives to Funky though. What's with the lipstick? Ollie doesn't like the red lipstick. Funky tries to explain to Ollie that it's part of punk style, but Ollie won't hear it.
Ollie's a little on the fence about the choker. On one hand, it makes him look tough, and Ollie likes that. On the other hand, Ollie thinks it resembles a dog collar, and Ollie has a lot of pride in being a parrot. Ollie asked Funky if he had any other ideas.
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Goth Ollie
Funky really gets into Ollie's next style — goth. Ollie isn't quite sure that it's himself he's looking at in the mirror. He likes the dark eyeliner even better than the purple because it makes his eyes more dramatic. He likes the goth-style necklace. He thinks it adds character. The dark lipstick isn't too bad, but Ollie thinks he could do without it.
The decoration on his chest isn't really to Ollie's taste. He thinks it cramps his style a bit. But the worst thing about the makeover he's just endured is the hair. Ollie absolutely positively can't stand the hair. The black, stringy hair with a large section dyed pink — it gets in the way of his eye: not good for a prey animal like a parrot. No, no, no thank you.
While there are some elements to this style that Ollie finds to his liking, there are others that Ollie doesn't like at all. Ollie is ready to see the next look Funky has in store for him.
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Superhero Ollie
Ollie half expects a theme song to start playing when he gets a look at himself this time. Look, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's … no wait I was right the first time it's a bird. It's Super Ollie! All parrots deep down have some level of narcissism, and Ollie can't help but feel the twinge of it right now. The big “O” on his chest just makes his heart swell with pride. If only his mother could see him now. And a cape! Ollie has always wanted a cape. Now when he flies, a cape will flap in the wind behind him. Oh what joy!
Ollie thinks the mask is a little dorky looking, but he realizes the outfit wouldn't be complete without it. Thinking he has his winner, Ollie runs outside in anticipation. Seconds later Ollie returns to the shop followed by gales of laughter. Perhaps this look isn't as much of a winner as Ollie originally thought.
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Hip Hop Ollie
Funky is ready for round four. Ollie is pretty impressed at the new direction Funky is going. When he first saw it, the hat wasn't really doing it for him, but it does make him look taller. Ollie's happy to have the complimentary boom box that comes along with this style. Funky has instructed that wherever Ollie goes, the boom box goes. Ollie's cool with that. Ollie also likes his bling. He thinks it's what he's been missing all along.
There's only one problem here — the pants. Where oh where Funky, did you get these pants? Ollie's believes the pants should be returned. The pants look like someone killed the cotton candy fairy and made her into pants. Not only that, Ollie is wondering why his pants are five sizes too big. Funky explains that they're not too big, they're called parachute pants. Ollie is ready to see what other ideas Funky has.
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Surfer Ollie
Hang ten! Ollie's ready to hit the beach and catch some waves. He likes the board shorts. Theyfit him much better than the parachute pants. He also likes his sunglasses. Who doesn't like sunglasses? The surfboard is just right size. Ollie thinks it contrasts well with his colors, too.
Ollie has to wonder though, what's the stuff on his beak? Funky tells him it's sunscreen. Ollie looks a little confused and then explains to Funky that his beak can't get sunburned. Funky knows, but he thinks the sunscreen adds to the look. Ollie just shakes his head.
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Making A Decision
After a long day of knowing what a mannequin must feel like, Ollie still needs to decide which new look he's going to go with. He's even having thoughts that getting a new look was a silly idea in the first place, and that maybe he should just stay the way he is. Funky has an idea. Ollie will think about it for a while.
What do you think? What look should Ollie rock this April Fool's Day?
Looking for more fun articles? Check out "5 Ways Birds Will Take Over The World" article by clicking here.