Have you seen Ruco?

A longtime former East Village resident is hoping for help finding Ruco, an 18-year-old Monk parakeet/Quaker parrot who lived in an apartment on 11th Street between First and Second Avenues. 

David Lemaire, who now lives in Massachusetts and regularly travels to New York City, told us that Ruco was being cared for by his former spouse, who died in late August in the apartment they had shared for 45 years. 

After the NYPD conducted a wellness check, Lemaire said the family was initially told that Ruco had also died, though that was never confirmed. 

When relatives were finally able to enter the apartment last week, however, there was no sign of Ruco — and a window was open. 

The family later learned about recent sightings of a Monk parakeet around Tompkins Square Park. They're now wondering whether the bird spotted around the park could be Ruco.

One potentially helpful detail: Ruco responds to the word "honey" as a question. Lemaire said they used the word when offering Ruco a drop of honey as a bribe to get him back into his cage — including after one previous escape. Lemaire said calling out "honey?" may get Ruco's attention and even prompt him to approach.

If you've seen a Monk parakeet in Tompkins Square Park or elsewhere in the neighborhood — particularly if you have a recent photo or know where the bird has been spending time — you can contact Lemaire at davidhlemaire@gmail.com.