A Eurasian eagle-owl named Flaco recently made headlines in New York City after escaping from the Central Park Zoo due to the damage of his cage by vandals. Despite gaining attention from onlookers as he perches on trees in the park, there are concerns that his inability to hunt will lead to starvation. The escape took place on February 2nd, and the zoo quickly mobilized a search team once they were notified of the bird's escape, according to a news release by zoo spokesperson Max Pulsinelli.
The New York Post said that after escaping from the Central Park Zoo, Flaco flew to the nearby shopping area of Fifth Avenue, where police officers attempted to capture him but were unsuccessful. The following morning, he returned to Central Park and has since been seen at different locations in the southeast part of the park. Although Flaco has visited the zoo grounds, he has not gone back into captivity voluntarily.
Flaco the fugitive, this afternoon - just west of the Central Park Zoo. #birdcpp #birdwatching #eurasianeagleowl pic.twitter.com/up4kEQmfsM
— Jane Kratochvil (@JaneKratochvil) February 8, 2023
Eagle-Owl Escapee in NYC
The eurasian eagle-owl is characterized by its large size, striking ear tufts, vibrant orange eyes, and light underbelly with delicate streaks. It is primarily active at night and can be seen perching on high lookouts just before dusk while searching for food. During the day, it can be found taking a nap in shaded trees or caves. They often engage in duets, with the males producing a deep and resonant hoot, and the females a higher-pitched, huskier sound. This owl species can be found in various habitats, ranging from forests to rocky canyons, but is not considered abundant in any specific area, according to Ebirds.org.
But it's different with Flaco's case, zoo officials announced their intentions to recapture Flaco last week, but there have been no updates on their progress since then. David Barrett, who operates birding Twitter accounts including Manhattan Bird Alert, Brooklyn Bird Alert, and Bronx Bird Alert, stated that no one has observed Flaco eating during his six days of freedom.
On Wednesday, Flaco was seen perched on an oak tree in the Hallett Nature Sanctuary of Central Park, commanding a view of the ice skaters at Wollman Rink. A small group of people gathered to observe the bird from a safe distance. A retired healthcare worker named Gig Palileo was among them and said she was there to monitor Flaco's condition.
'Flaco The Fugitive'
As a nurse, she was concerned about the bird's alertness and expressed disappointment that someone had let the owl go without considering the consequences. Palileo also mentioned that Flaco may not know how to hunt. Retired correction officer Kenny Cwiok was more optimistic about Flaco's chances of survival in the wild. He believed that if Flaco learned how to fly, he could also learn how to hunt.
Phys reported that Cwiok referred to Flaco as a celebrity, similar to the Mandarin duck that captivated Central Park visitors a few years ago. He described the duck as a "star" and a "Brad Pitt for Central Park." The Eurasian eagle-owl is one of the largest owl species, with a wingspan that can reach up to 79 inches (2 meters), according to the Wildlife Conservation Society. They have strong talons and noticeable ear tufts.
Similar to the Mandarin duck, the Eurasian eagle owl is not indigenous to North America. However, native owl species such as great horned owls and barred owls are commonly found in Central Park and feed on rats, mice, and smaller birds. Dustin Partridge, the director of conservation and science for NYC Audubon, expressed his hope that Flaco's situation will increase awareness of other wild owl species in the city. Partridge said that there is a thriving owl population in the city and that they are majestic creatures to observe.
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