Police have found the pet parrot named Cuca that was snatched out of the hands of its owner in the Bronx on Monday.
The bird was recovered Friday, police said.
Its 67-year-old owner, Ana Marte, was overjoyed to get her prized parrot back. She said her bird keeps her alive.
"I have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol," she said. "She wakes me up every day reminding me to take my medicine."
Marte was carrying Cuca when she was followed into her Tremont apartment building at about 3 p.m. Monday.
The robber, believed to be armed with a gun, rode the elevator with Marte, and got out with her on her floor.
"He told me to let go of Cuca," Marte told reporters in Spanish Friday. "I had jewelry and he didn't take that."
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He then ran out of the building.
Marte called 911, and authorities were able to track the suspect's exit from the building with a camera system and later identify him.
When police interviewed the suspect Tuesday, he confessed to robbing the woman of her parrot and said he sold it.
Marte said the bird is slightly dehydrated, but still in good condition. She hopes the alleged birdnapper is jailed.
Darryyl Walker, 53, on parole for robbery, was charged with robbery, grand larceny, menacing and criminal possession of a weapon, police said. Attorney information wasn't immediately available.
