Over the years, Central Park, located in the heart of Manhattan, has been a newsworthy home to a variety of birds that made the 843 acres their home. The story of Flaco is one of the more celebrated stories to arise from the famous park, but Flaco is not the only interesting and remarkable bird that has lived within the expanse of the city landmark. For some, it’s a “walk in the park”. But for others, the park can be a dangerous place. As the seasons change and the predatory possibilities expand, some birds need attention before nature takes its course.
Photo courtesy of Sean Mintz
Meet Mei Mei, a wayward pet parakeet, who, for now, has found camaraderie and safety with a flock of sparrows within the park. However, the cold of the NYC environment is inhospitable for Mei Mei. This has encouraged birders who roam the park for sightings and are fully aware of her existence to attempt to capture her for her protection from the upcoming brutal winter. Mei Mei, on the other hand, isn’t interested in capture. She has adapted to the wilds of the park and her newfound freedom.
Mei Mei has become a focal point of birders and is monitored frequently. There are Instagram and X posts that reveal her paths as she is heard or sighted. The reports are that she is flying and avoiding danger well. She has been spotted foraging spectacularly and appears to be in the best of health. In fact, she has been noted as being the dominant member of the sparrow flock she hangs with. She has been reported to be afflicted with bumblefoot, which is a bacterial infection on her feet. It hasn’t seemed to bother her much as she can still perch and walk without effort.
For now, she is predominantly in the Seneca Village area of Central Park, which is near the upper west side of the city. It isn’t certain how she came to be a resident of the park. She may have escaped from a home environment or may even have been let loose deliberately. Her first sighting was in the latter part of August, when she attempted to fit in with a group of cowbirds before her adoption by the flock of sparrows she currently nests with.
Mei Mei is easily spotted in the flock as they take to the air. Her bright green feathers mixed in with a blend of brown feathers reveals her easily enough. The avid birders of the park recognize Mei Mei as female from her brown cere coloring.
What makes winters dangerous for Mei Mei or other parakeets is the fact that all parakeets do not have enough body fat to insulate them properly. This makes it important that she be captured before the full onset of winter. Typically, parakeets require 70 degrees to be comfortable. But as birders attempt to woo her to their fingers, she flees with the flock.
For now, the birding community is divided on her existence. Some like her freedom and do not want her captured, while others want her safe from the onset of cold weather. Temperatures below 50 will be detrimental to her ongoing livelihood. You can follow this birder, who is interested in her capture, on their Instagram page. You can also follow Bagels & Walks (Sean Mintz) on his X page, where they provide constant sightings and commentary on Mei Mei.
Wow, what an adaptable bird! Not entirely surprised that a budgie is bossing around other birds. While I hope she finds safety, even if she does not, she will have lived one of the most unique experiences one of her kind has ever had. Truly an adventurer.
She is a beautiful bird, Maybe a capture then release when the weather is more suitable for her survival Then repeat if possible.. She can potentially live a fairly long life if she is willing
There was a similar situation here in Tennessee several years ago where I lived, a blue parakeet traveling with a flock of sparrows. Unfortunately, his/her bright color attracted the attention of a mockingbird who began chasing the little ‘keet. I didn’t see him/her after that.
She will not survive a cold winter. For one, when she is settled with the flock for the night, her small, thin toes will freeze to the branch. She won’t be able to tolerate the cold, the blowing wind and snow. She must be caught. That will be quite difficult because every time the flock takes off when a human approaches, she’s going to fly, too. I feel sad for her and time is of the essence. If there are any people out there who have ideas on how she could be separated and caught, please speak up. Good luck.
5 years ago I stalked a wayward cockatiel that had joined a small pigeon flock in my New England neighborhood. She was discovered flying free in June and it took daily vigiliance and scattering of seed to the flock until mid-August when she was finally captured. How? We propped up a small cage with a long string attached to a guillitone drop style door and scattered seed and nutriberries around and inside daily. We allowed the pigeons to feed along with her and then one glorious day she was positioned just right inside the cage. We pulled the string and the door shut – nothing short of a miracle!
That’s the Roadrunner and Wily Coyote capture method. Clever!