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Barn Owls Nest in NYC Water Tower: Urban First!
18 Oct
Summary
- A barn owl family has nested in an Upper West Side water tower.
- This is Manhattan's first documented modern nesting of barn owls.
- Rodenticides pose a significant threat to the survival of these owls.
A family of barn owls has unexpectedly nested in a water tower on New York City's Upper West Side, marking a significant event for urban wildlife. Bird experts believe this is the first documented modern nesting of barn owls in Manhattan. The family consists of two adult owls and potentially six young, drawing attention from birdwatchers.
This discovery is particularly noteworthy given the substantial decline of barn owls in New York State. Habitat loss and fewer nesting sites have contributed to their scarcity. Despite the excitement, the owls face risks, notably from rodenticides. Ingestion of poisoned rodents can be fatal, a danger previously highlighted by the death of Flaco, an eagle-owl in Central Park.
