Exotic parrots in Moscow yard resist capture for three months

Specialists from the Moscow Zoo have made six attempts to capture exotic parrots living in a yard near Babushkinskaya metro station, but all have failed as the birds continue to evade capture.

Oct 21, 2025

Volunteers from a parrot hospice have been assisting in capture efforts for several months.

What won«t Muscovites see on the city streets? Pigeons and sparrows are common, but parrots are quite a surprise. A pair of exotic birds was spotted in the Babushkinskaya metro area. The parrots have made friends with pigeons and sparrows, and survived thanks to fruit trees and warm weather.

Residents of the Losinoostrovsky District have been trying to catch the birds for three months now, and their owner has not come forward. With the onset of cold weather, the feathered creatures could be in danger.

The first to be noticed was a large Alexandrine parrot. Over time, it has become a local attraction.

“It was first spotted in the square near the Orion cinema since mid-August. At that time, there was a good food supply: apple trees, pears, rowan trees, cypress,” one local resident told a correspondent from MSK1.RU. “Recently, it was noticed that it no longer flies alone — a second one, a ring-necked parrot, smaller in size, has joined it.”

Local resident Mira shares insights on the parrots« behavior and survival strategies.

At that time, residents began turning to rescuers, but for a long time, the escapees could not be caught. They were taken care of by concerned neighbors.

The Moscow Zoo reported that they have visited the site six times. The last attempt was on the weekend, when they failed to catch the birds.

“They should have been caught earlier, when there were apples and pears: they sat in one area all day and ate,” local resident Mira told MSK1.RU. “If their owners needed them, they would be worried and looking for them, calling all authorities. They«ve been flying since summer, so I think they»re no one«s now.”

Mira explains why the parrots should have been caught earlier during fruit season.

Volunteers have had more success. Yesenia Belochkina from a parrot hospice and shelter responded to Muscovites« requests for help. The girl has been helping birds for four years. She has rescued about fifty parrots, seventeen turtles, and several reptiles. Many of them have health issues.

Yesenia caught the escapees using live bait: she set up a cage in the yard with her own parrots and a large supply of various foods.

“Four of my parrots participated in the capture — an Eclectus named Arbusik and Alexandrine parrots Grinya, Grinfield, and Aki. The little parrot came to their call,” the girl told MSK1.RU. “It took about forty minutes from when we set up the cages. The bird flew to the call of its comrades.”

Yesenia Belochkina uses her own parrots to lure the escapees into a secure cage.

The second parrot remains elusive after being scared by onlookers during rescue attempts.

It turned out that the escapee is a female. They named her Madri. She is now under the care of volunteers. She is getting used to the environment. Soon she will be examined by a vet.

“The bird is feeling quite well now. The parrots living with me still have free access to the outdoor aviary, where they spend a lot of time. She will stay with us and keep Grinfield company,” Yesenia shared. “We will try to catch the second bird as well.”

The rescued parrot is now under care and will join other birds in the shelter.

The second bird could not be caught — it was scared off by onlookers who gathered to watch the rescue operation. After that, the parrot changed its residence, according to locals. Nevertheless, some have seen it in the company of pigeons.

Volunteers have already found where it has settled, but they won«t say. The bird is very timid, and in case of danger, it could quickly find a new home.

“The fewer people, the easier it is to catch,” vigilant Muscovites believe.

Earlier, a dog owner accused a grooming salon of cruel treatment of her pet. According to video from cameras, the small dog was roughly grabbed by the scruff and thrown to the other end of the table. According to the salon owner, the groomer was fired, and the pet owner was refunded for the procedure. But despite this, the salon«s employees are receiving threats.