Owl Who Escaped Central Park Zoo Last Year Is Now a Regular Manhattan Celebrity
In February of 2023, vandals damaged the enclosure of a Eurasian Eagle Owl at the Central Park Zoo allowing an eagle to escape and make Manhattan their home. This owl had lived in the enclosure for over a decade, and it was roughly the size of a bus shelter.
Ever since then, Flaco the owl has been roaming free and stealing the hearts of avid bird enthusiasts everywhere.
When Flaco first escaped, zookeepers tried to capture Flaco but he avoided their nets and traps and soon a petition was started by New Yorkers to let this owl roam free. Flaco proved to people that he could feed himself by catching and dining on rats and soon Flaco sightings were a social media sensation.
At one point, Flaco vanished but was soon seen on the Lower East side of Manhattan in November which led bird experts to speculate that a lovelorn Flaco was scouring the area for a mate. Birder David Barrett, who runs the popular Manhattan Bird Alert account, said “We think that Flaco the Eurasian Eagle-Owl left Central Park in search of a mate,” he said. “It’s the time of year when these owls look to pair up if unattached. Flaco’s hoots have gone unanswered for a long time now. He is unaware that no mates are anywhere in the region.”
Related: Owlette's Happy Hoots While Misting Her Wings Will Put a Smile on Any Face
Flaco has been spotted on people's windowsills, rooftops, in trees and on fire escapes. There are even murals painted of him around NYC. Barrett was also quoted as saying, "I think people see Flaco not just as a symbol of freedom, but as a champion of the underdog because he surely was the underdog starting out. The odds were so stacked against him being able to survive and succeed, but he did it."
Fun Facts About Eurasian Eagle Owls
Eurasian Eagle Owls are one of the biggest owl species in the world. They can have a wing span of about six feet, which explains why Flaco probably wasn't very happy in his small Central Park Zoo enclosure.
These beautiful creatures have distinct ear tufts that are actually feathers. They serve a variety of purposes, like expressing their mood and communication.
Eurasian eagle owls have a broad and varied diet, which includes mammals such as rabbits and rodents, as well as birds, reptiles, and even insects. Considering this owl has been dining on all the rats he can find in the city, we aren't worried about him running out of food anytime soon.
If you would like to follow all the Flaco sightings in and around the city, there's a Facebook group you can join here.
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