A bright green budgerigar, known as May Mei, has been living freely among a flock of sparrows in Central Park for about a month after escaping. However, the arrival of cold weather poses a significant threat to her survival.
Birdwatchers are attempting to capture May Mei for her safety since she’s not equipped to handle New York’s winter. It’s a bit ironic, really—she’s found a completely different life in the wild, yet, as Sean Mintz from the Upper East Side pointed out, she remains oblivious to the harsh climate ahead.
“She’s become a sparrow,” Mintz remarked. “But she doesn’t realize what’s coming.” He’s concerned, noting that while she might have some advantages being cared for before, her survival instincts aren’t suited for this environment.
May Mei has been spotted flying around the Upper West Side, particularly near Seneca Village, since her disappearance on August 20. Initially, she was alone but soon joined forces with the house sparrows, blending into their group.
Mintz, who took up birdwatching a few years ago, commented on her adaptation. “Foraging in the grass makes her hard to spot because she’s green. But when she’s flying with the brown sparrows, you can’t help but notice she’s different. She’s gorgeous—definitely shouldn’t be here.”
This species, native to Australia, is not built for cold weather, and Mintz noted that while sparrows can withstand the winters here, budgerigars lack the necessary fat reserves to survive temperatures below 50 degrees.
Interestingly, one way to discern May Mei’s gender is by looking at the cere, or the skin above her beak: if it’s brown, she’s female—a sign that she’s away from her usual conditions.
Although she’s found a new life in the wild, there’s a split in the birdwatching community. Some view her freedom as a victory, while others feel compelled to return her to safety. With winter approaching, rescuers have a limited time to catch her before temperatures drop.
Mintz and others are hopeful that the colder weather might slow her down enough to facilitate her capture. The goal is to either reunite her with her owner or find her a suitable new home.
