Hundreds turnout for memorial of beloved NYC owl Falco after he died colliding with a building

Hundreds gathered in Central Park on Sunday to celebrate Flaco the Owl, New York City’s favorite feathered friend, who tragically died after colliding with an Upper West Side building earlier this month.

“With all of this challenging time happening around the world, this bird truly became a symbol of hope and brought so many of us together,” said Breanne Delgado.

Flaco became an inspiration and joy to many when he flew through Manhattan after being released from his zoo enclosure.

In the late afternoon, a commemoration with speeches, songs and poems was held in Central Park at what organizers call Flaco’s favorite oak tree. His death was a heartbreaking end for the bird watchers who documented his daily movements.

Fans posted photos and videos of the majestic owl with a nearly seven-foot wingspan perched on tree branches, fence posts, fire escapes and water towers – as well as its hours-long hooting.

David Lei, an avid birdwatcher in the city, said the loss of Flaco was difficult to put into words. He added that the owl suffered the same fate as many other birds in Manhattan: it flew through the misleading windows of tall buildings.

“Flaco was larger than life and leaves a legacy to match,” Lei said. “I thank him today, as I did every day when I saw him, for the joy, awe and wonder he inspired in us throughout his journey.”

People at the ceremony called for new laws to help prevent birds from flying into buildings and reduce the use of rat poison that larger birds can ingest while eating prey. Efforts are also underway to place a statue of Flaco in Central Park.

Flaco was found dead on the Upper West Side on Feb. 23 after apparently hitting a building.

He was 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.

Tests by zoologists concluded he had suffered traumatic impact injuries, but more tests are planned to determine whether he may have been ill.

Police are still trying to arrest the person who let him out of his residence.

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 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 escaped 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. “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.

“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 opportunity to develop his flying or hunting skills in captivity, but he has done well since his escape and was seen eating up to four rats in one go, belying his name which means ‘Skinny’ in The Spanish.

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.