3 Parrots, 1 Shared Wall, 2 Ruptured Lives

for The New York Times

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Three parrots came between two best friends at a Manhattan co-op, entangling the U.S. Department of Justice and leaving behind broken teeth, eviction notices, and a historic court settlement.

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On assignment for The New York Times, see the full story.
Photo Editor: Brent Murray

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Three parrots came between two best friends at a Manhattan co-op, entangling the U.S. Department of Justice and leaving behind broken teeth, eviction notices, and a historic court settlement.

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At the deposition, one of the parties arrived carrying a jar of parrot feathers. When asked why, she explained that their presence was soothing.

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Charlotte lives with her service dog, Sofia, in a Manhattan condo.

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The condo next door, connected by an adjoining wall, was previously occupied by a tenant who kept three parrots.

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"I started grinding my teeth in my sleep... my filling broke and they diagnosed that I was clenching." Charlotte now needs this mouthguard to sleep due to grinding caused by anxiety related to her neighbor’s birds.

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For a time, Charlotte considered her neighbor to be a close friend. They would care for each other’s pets and celebrated birthdays together.

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Close to Union Square and Gramercy Park, Charlotte’s condo is located in The Rutherford. The building contains 175 residential units and was constructed in 1961.

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Charlotte’s bathroom cabinet holds medication prescribed for anxiety and other conditions. She believes her declining health is tied to the parrots and the financial and legal fallout that followed her noise complaints.

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Ms. Kullen is trying to forget the parrots and hopes to sell the apartment, putting the experience behind her. In the meantime, relief comes through visits to her horse, Asantro, in New Jersey.