Megan Joy likes birds, flies like one from 'Idol'

LOS ANGELES -- Megan Joy says she was just being goofy and showing her love of birds when she flapped her way across the "American Idol" stage.

"I love birds and bird noises," said Joy, who was eliminated from the TV show Wednesday. "I just decided that if I'm going out, I'm going out with a bang and I'm just going to be myself. So I ... flew the whole time."

Joy created the most bizarre moment of the night -- if not the season -- with her flapping and squawking.

She told a teleconference Thursday that fellow low-ranking contestants Anoop Desai and Allison Iraheta had promised to make birdlike sounds for her if she were voted off.

"I'm always just making noises and animal noises and they were like, 'Meg, if you go tonight, we're going to caw for you and support you.' So I was like, 'Don't you forget to caw, Anoop."'

The tattooed, 23-year-old single mother from Sandy, Utah, said that she plans to add to her body art with an ink version of the good luck ring she wore for the singing contest.

Joy received the fewest number of viewer votes for her version of Bob Marley's "Turn Your Lights Down Low." Eight finalists remain in the competition.

She said she has no regrets and figured she would be eliminated this week. In the future, she'd consider doing voice work and whatever life throws her way. But for now, Joy is itching to spend time with her toddler son, Ryder.

"As sad as I am that I'm leaving and I'm done with the show, there is a very big part of me that cannot wait to see my son," she said. "And it's been too long. I'm ready to hold him in my arms again."