Mrs. Ballard's Parrots

In the late 1960s, Alba Ballard, a Long Island housewife, decided it would be a cute idea to dress up one of her many pet parrots in a little costume. She sewed a tiny outfit, attached snaps to the back, and slipped it onto one of the birds. Delighted with the results, Alba began creating increasingly detailed costumes for her always available and willing subjects. Soon she began staging elaborate theatrical productions, casting her costumed parrots in scene reenactments from popular movies, TV shows, historical events, and 1970s popular culture. Her husband, Marvin, would assist in creating sets and props and would photograph the productions at Alba's direction.Svenson, Arne is the author of 'Mrs. Ballard's Parrots', published 2005 under ISBN 9780810958869 and ISBN 0810958864.