Meet the Man Who Became a Real-Life Parrot 🦜

How Ted Richards, Known as “Parrotman,” Spent Thousands to Transform Himself Into His Beloved Birds

Ted Richards, an Englishman from Bristol, is one of those rare individuals whose devotion to animals goes far beyond what most people can imagine. Known widely by the nickname “Parrotman,” Ted became famous for transforming his appearance to resemble his pet parrots. What started as a fascination with these colorful birds eventually became a lifelong identity, marked by dramatic body modifications and a bold refusal to live by ordinary standards. His journey is one of love, obsession, and the deep bond between a person and the creatures that give their life meaning.

Ted didn’t simply get a tattoo of a parrot or keep his birds as companions in a cage. He took his devotion to an extreme level, spending years and thousands of dollars on procedures that most people would never even consider. His body is now covered with more than 100 tattoos, many of them designed to look like feathers, blending his skin with the colorful patterns of his birds. More than 50 piercings add to the elaborate look, and his tongue has been surgically split so that it resembles a beak when he sticks it out. Even the whites of his eyes have been dyed, making them appear more animal-like.

One of the most shocking steps in his transformation was the surgical removal of both of his ears. For Ted, this was not about self-destruction but about creating a shape that brought his head closer to the sleek look of a parrot. The procedure sparked widespread attention and criticism, but Ted spoke openly about how happy he was with the result. He even expressed a desire at one point to have his nose reshaped into a beak, though it remains unclear if that particular idea was ever carried out. For him, each change wasn’t about shock value but about bringing his outer appearance closer to the birds he loved so deeply.

Beyond the physical transformation, Ted also took symbolic steps to align himself with his parrots. He legally changed his surname to “Parrotman,” an act that made his devotion part of his identity not only in body but in name. For him, this wasn’t just a hobby or a passing fascination—it was a lifestyle and a way of being. His home, his clothing, and even the way he interacted with people reflected his bird-inspired persona.

Public reaction to Ted’s choices has always been mixed. Some saw him as eccentric or even disturbing, questioning why someone would go to such extremes. Others admired his courage to live authentically, even if it meant facing ridicule or misunderstanding. For many animal lovers, his story became a curious but touching example of the lengths people can go for the things they hold dear. To Ted, the criticism never mattered much; what mattered most was the joy he felt when he looked in the mirror and saw not just a man, but a reflection of the birds that had become his life companions.

In a world where most people try to blend in, Ted Richards chose to stand out in the boldest way possible. His transformation into “Parrotman” is a reminder that passion can take us to unexpected places, and that love, even when it looks unusual from the outside, has the power to shape identity in ways few would ever attempt. Whether one views him as extreme or inspiring, his story shows how deeply humans can connect with the creatures around them—and how far some will go to embody that connection.