Parakeet Mei Mei Finds Forever Home After Months on the Run in NYC

The bright-green-and-yellow bird spent 10 weeks living with a flock of sparrows in Central Park before being rescued.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A beloved parakeet named Mei Mei who spent 10 weeks living with a flock of sparrows in Central Park has found a forever home at the Foster Parrots sanctuary in Rhode Island. The 1-year-old bird was finally captured by a devoted birder and is now joining a flock of 130 other rescued birds at the sanctuary.

Why it matters

Mei Mei's story highlights the plight of domesticated parrots that are often abandoned or escape, unable to survive New York's harsh winters. Animal advocates are pushing for legislation to ban the sale of birds in pet stores, citing the poor conditions many parrots face in 'parrot mills' before being sold.

The details

After months of quarantining in the Manhattan apartment of the birder who captured her, Mei Mei has been transferred to the Foster Parrots sanctuary in Rhode Island. She is now joining a diverse flock of 130 rescued birds including other parakeets, doves, finches, and canaries. Mei Mei only suffered a common parasite infection from her time living in the wild and is now in good health.

  • Mei Mei spent 10 weeks living with a flock of sparrows in Central Park.
  • Mei Mei was captured by a devoted birder on a cool fall morning.
  • Mei Mei officially became a Rhode Island resident on Sunday when she moved into her new home at the Foster Parrots sanctuary.

The players

Mei Mei

A bright-green-and-yellow parakeet who spent 10 weeks living with a flock of sparrows in Central Park before being rescued.

Foster Parrots

A sanctuary in Rhode Island that is now Mei Mei's forever home, where she will live with a flock of 130 other rescued birds.

JP Borum

A devoted birder who made a daring capture that saved Mei Mei from an incoming local cold front in New York City.

World Animal Protection

An organization that worked on Mei Mei's transfer to the Foster Parrots sanctuary and has been advocating for legislation to ban the sale of birds in New York City pet stores.

Voters for Animal Rights

An organization that has been advocating alongside World Animal Protection for legislation to ban the sale of birds in New York City pet stores.

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What they’re saying

“Mei Mei will live the rest of her life in peace with other rescued parrots at a place that has to meet extremely stringent care standards.”

— Liz Cabrera Holtz, Senior Programs Manager, World Animal Protection

“People often forget these little birds are extremely intelligent, extremely social. Just her ability to survive for 10 weeks was pretty astonishing.”

— Liz Cabrera Holtz, Senior Programs Manager, World Animal Protection

What’s next

World Animal Protection and Voters for Animal Rights continue to advocate for New York City Council to pass legislation prohibiting the sale of birds in pet stores, similar to the ban on selling dogs and cats that was enacted in 2024.

The takeaway

Mei Mei's story highlights the plight of domesticated parrots that are often abandoned or escape, unable to survive New York's harsh winters. This case underscores the need for stronger protections and regulations around the pet trade to ensure the wellbeing of these intelligent, social birds.