Home / Environment / Rare Barn Owls Take Flight in NYC's Upper West Side
Rare Barn Owls Take Flight in NYC's Upper West Side
11 Oct
Summary
- Barn owls, rarely seen in Manhattan, have become a new fascination.
- Residents first noticed startling screeches at nightfall.
- An entire family of barn owls was discovered perched on a water tower.
The Upper West Side of Manhattan has become the unexpected habitat for a family of barn owls, a species rarely seen in the borough. The unusual presence was first noted by residents who heard startling, high-pitched screeches during the night, initially drawing concern and curiosity.
Weeks of hearing the peculiar sounds led to a sighting of a dark, flying animal. Subsequent investigation and photography revealed the creature to be a barn owl, identified by its distinct heart-shaped face and butterscotch-colored belly. The discovery was further amplified when an entire family of these birds was found perched atop a water tower on West 75th Street.
These newly discovered avian celebrities, with one owl affectionately nicknamed Scotty by a resident, have quickly captured the attention of the neighborhood. Their frequent, close flights have prompted locals to observe them from a respectful distance, marveling at this unique urban wildlife encounter.
