The accidental death of Flaco, a Eurasian eagle-owl that had escaped from the Central Park Zoo last year, has deeply affected New Yorkers and sparked a broader conversation about urban wildlife and bird safety. Mourners gathered at Central Park, specifically at East Dr. in line with 104th St., leaving flowers and letters at one of Flaco's favorite trees. The incident has renewed calls for making New York City's buildings safer for birds, with zoologists investigating potential toxins and disease as contributing factors to his death. Flaco superfans' theory that the owl was ill before his death will also be tested. A bill has been proposed to protect birds in NYC, potentially to be renamed in honor of Flaco, known as the FLACO Act. The owl's death has also led to discussions about the challenges of maintaining freedom for wildlife in urban environments, with an estimated billion birds dying annually in the U.S. from crashing into buildings, including an estimated 250,000 in NYC alone. Flaco's story has prompted tributes across the city and discussions on the need for bird-friendly urban planning, highlighting that Flaco had a family and raising concerns that other owls could become targets for release.
The famous fowl was one of an estimated 250,000 birds to die each year by crashing into a New York City building — but conservationists say property owners can easily protect our feathered friends from an untimely death. Read more: https://t.co/QDoVv1FrQn https://t.co/nzADB0gBSH
If, like me, you awoke to a breaking news alert on Flaco's demise, I recommend reading this. https://t.co/76lJnzr5vN
In my column in today’s FT, some thoughts on the death of Flaco the owl and what it tells us about the future of news with great illustrations by @IllustratorEwan : https://t.co/XiOQAdtD44
Noooooooo!!!! Flaco the escaped central park zoo great horned owl has passed. I don’t live in NYC, I haven’t even seen you before, but my heart goes to this adventurous bird that enlivened my X feed. A lovely tribute from NYtimes: “But Flaco never looked back [after his escape… https://t.co/62YwIBCh1N
Zoologists are investigating contributing factors in the death of New York City’s celebrity owl. https://t.co/IT8ZBYPvAm
This spiral built of a small sample of the tens of thousands of birds that died colliding with Toronto buildings in a year is utterly appalling. Looking across the continent year over year, Flaco the owl was just one in a billion. Full webcast: https://t.co/IoZwXyEsH8 https://t.co/UnZ6jzqXOf
I finally figured out what the hell a Flaco is and it's just New Yorkers experiencing wildlife what the hell https://t.co/YXRimbF03F
The death of Flaco, a Eurasian eagle-owl that captivated New Yorkers after escaping from a zoo last year, has sparked calls to combat bird strikes. https://t.co/aw7gAne61y
To honor the impact Flaco had on New York City, The Bird Safe Buildings Act will be renamed the FLACO ("Feathered Lives Also Count") Act. https://t.co/biE2hekcCl
Could AI have predicted the death of New York's most famous owl? https://t.co/oezJK89KT0 via @opinion
he truly was just the cutest. this was flaco when he had just escaped from the zoo and was standing, dazed, on Fifth Avenue. https://t.co/vlTkVSrONj
Honor Flaco the Eurasian Eagle-Owl with a Statue in Central Park - Sign the Petition! 🦉 https://t.co/Xbm9i3OKVo via @Change
Could AI have predicted the death of New York's most famous owl? https://t.co/vOrtJmh6n9
Here’s what NYC building owners can do to prevent fatal bird collisions after the death of Flaco https://t.co/3FlCXFzUQA https://t.co/u4RkbLBwWy
Flaco, the owl who died last week after crashing into a New York City building, may inspire changes that save other birds. @VMurdockTV explains. https://t.co/BnWcp7lsng
Three days after Flaco the Owl's death, lawmakers are renewing calls for bird-safety bills The FLACO Act would require new N.Y. government buildings to have bird-friendly windows https://t.co/s5p7vBAr5P
10 million migratory birds visit Utah's Great Salt Lake every year. But as the lake shrinks, this critical habitat is threatened -- with impacts extending far beyond our feathered friends. Watch "Vanishing Oasis" to learn more, streaming at 4pm & 9pm: https://t.co/EhvrXbFpo2 https://t.co/Q1MvgaQ1Y5
Flaco is one of the many birds who has fallen victim to deadly building collisions. We need the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act as a critical first step to eventually ending these preventable deaths. https://t.co/RP6B6aZCVC
Flaco is one of the many birds who has fallen victim to deadly buildings collisions. We need the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act as a critical first step to eventually ending these preventable deaths. https://t.co/ifzdpsfIGA
Central Park's Flaco had a family. Conservationists fear other owls will become targets for release. https://t.co/ft28d97lhk
Key points explored on #sustainwhat after the short freedom and premature death of Flaco, NYC's improbable eagle 🦉 owl. @carlsafina on the value and limits of zoos. @adammsmi on designing for birds and people simultaenously. @eyeonthefly on the scale of the problem (illustrated… https://t.co/wIu8ThvGmw
An owl that has been in captivity since it was a chick has reportedly been stolen, sparking fears for its welfare Read more 🔗 https://t.co/7OaC3BLLkS
Flaco tributes popping up across NYC, this one is in the LES, as is the second. May we all die free https://t.co/Ib4cSKBg2a
Me talking about Flaco the owl https://t.co/z6b7a6eLUZ
One in a Billion – The Death of Flaco the Owl and the Wider Threat Buildings Pose to Birds https://t.co/vJf0qPZ41d
Flaco, the owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo last year and died on Friday, was one of an estimated billion birds that will die in the U.S. this year from crashing into buildings. Here are some of the ways humans can help. https://t.co/OcbNvcxRGE
Bill proposed to protect birds in NYC could be renamed for Flaco the owl, mourners leave flowers https://t.co/aMbwxVXgqz https://t.co/kDlf7DEmrm
With New York City mourning the death of Central Park Zoo owl Flaco, @jimcramer, @davidfaber & @carlquintanilla reminisce about their own memories with the Eurasian bird. "Freedom is very hard to lose." https://t.co/3TgJADkBPw
LIVE at 1 pm ET join our discussion of how New York's Eagle Owl "Flaco" Embraced Freedom, but in an Environment Full of Man-Made Perils https://t.co/TDnCRKB4YF Guests are @carlsafina @eyeonthefly of @FLAPCanada and architect @adammsmi LINKS ARE IN THE POST https://t.co/lrPM8rH0Nd
Dozens of handwritten cards were placed at the Central Park memorial for Flaco over the weekend. https://t.co/30mZBE5A31
In @nytopinion Flaco the owl “reaffirmed a truth: that given a chance, living things choose agency and freedom of movement,” writes Carl Safina, an ecologist, in a guest essay. https://t.co/7Kz1FytdOx
The death of Flaco prompted an outpouring of love and heartbreak as New Yorkers gathered over the weekend at one of his favorite trees to pay respect. https://t.co/EjNEefQWt4
It was an owl @nytimes . https://t.co/w8uwGWiBgN
man. Flaco's death is really hard to process. every day that I opened this app, a Flaco pic was usually the first thing I saw and if I didn't, I'd go find one. He was my escapism from the incredibly grim. infuriating global news. It's really hard to believe he's gone.
Owl Who Died After Escaping New York City Zoo Is Mourned by Busy Philipps and More Stars: ‘I’m Devastated’ https://t.co/QKDmUg1pFz
Flaco superfans’ theory that NYC’s celebrity owl was ill before his death will get tested out by zoologists. https://t.co/qkNYsQEy2v
The accidental death of Flaco prompted an outpouring of love and heartbreak as New Yorkers gathered this weekend at one of his favorite trees to pay respect. https://t.co/ZRnHeBHwbC
Flaco memorial in Central Park, East Dr. in line with 104th St. https://t.co/G2lWyFIgBl
"What killed Flaco the owl? New York zoologists testing for toxins, disease as contributing factors." (via @AP) https://t.co/4meapcM25r
'Glass is lethal': Death of Flaco renews calls to make NYC's buildings safer for birds https://t.co/qE2Vn2wJsI
“Flaco the Owl was, in many ways, a typical New Yorker -- fiercely independent, constantly exploring, finding ways to survive ever-changing challenges." https://t.co/zkjcwWeUII
Mourners leave flowers, letters for Flaco the owl at his favorite tree in Central Park https://t.co/dNpxcryx0I https://t.co/PkZ63fu4RE