New York City’s favorite feathered friend has tragically died after colliding with an Upper West Side building, a year after vandals helped him escape captivity.
Flaco is a rare Eurasian Eagle Owl who previously called the Central Park Zoo home — until the bird was reported missing from its exhibit last February.
It was later revealed that vandals had cut Flaco’s stainless steel mesh cage and released the owl into the New York City skies.
Against all odds, Flaco survived on his own, despite fears that his life of luxury at the zoo – where he was fed and cared for by workers – had made him a failure.
After a year of thriving in freedom, Flaco would unfortunately have flown his last flight at 3am on Sunday.
Flaco is a rare Eurasian Eagle Owl who previously called the Central Park Zoo his home – until the bird was reported missing from its exhibit last February
After a year of thriving in freedom, Flaco would unfortunately have flown his last flight at 3am on Sunday.
The owl is said to have sadly died after flying into a water tower on West 86th Street east of Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side.
The owl is said to have sadly died after flying into a water tower on West 86th Street east of Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side.
According to David Barrett’s Manhattan Bird Alert account on social media, there were reports of screams in the area.
The bird’s body was found just a few blocks away, confirming what Flaco’s fans had feared after hearing news of cries for help on his regular sidewalk.
Following Flaco’s disappearance from his enclosure at the Central Park Zoo last year, a full-scale bird hunt was launched in an attempt to return the feathered creature safely to his home.
He was spotted in the city’s iconic Fifth Avenue shopping district shortly after being reported missing.
Flaco was then intercepted by the NYPD on a sidewalk near 60th Street, but was able to escape their custody. The next morning he left for Central Park.
“Our focus and efforts at this time are on the safe recovery of the owl,” zoo officials said in a news release. “We will provide updates as necessary.”
Despite efforts, Flaco maintained his free bird status and was even rumored to have taken a vacation from his Central Park residence in search of a mate.
Experts believe he left the park in November to look for a partner after he was spotted five miles away on East 3rd Street.
He was thought to be the only member of his species in North America, meaning his search may have had to extend beyond downtown Manhattan.
Against all odds, Flaco survived on his own, despite fears that his gentle life at the zoo – where he was fed and cared for by workers – had made him a failure.
Photographers and birdwatchers from around the world were drawn to New York in February as news of Flaco’s escape spread
Experts believe he left the park in November to look for a mate after he was spotted five miles away on East 3rd Street
Following Flaco’s disappearance from his enclosure at the Central Park Zoo last year, a full-scale bird hunt was launched in an attempt to return the feathered creature safely to his home.
“It’s that time of year when these owls seem to pair off when disconnected,” Manhattan Bird Alert fans tweeted.
‘Flaco’s cries have gone unanswered for a long time.
“He was last seen in Central Park on the evening of October 31, which is when we believe he left.
‘He probably made short, gradual night flights during the hunt that carried him more than three miles in six days.
“He doesn’t know that there are no friends anywhere in the region.”
Flaco was less than a year old when he arrived at the Central Park Zoo in 2010 and took up residence near the Penguins and Sea Birds building.
He had little chance to develop his flying or hunting skills in captivity, but has done well since his escape and has been seen eating up to four rats in one go, giving his name, which means ‘Skinny’ in Spanish , belies.
His fans were nervous that he would fall victim to the rodenticide used to poison rats and which may have contributed to the death of a barred owl known as Barry, who died in the park in 2021.
Flaco will be greatly missed by New Yorkers.