Barn Owls Nest in Manhattan Rooftop Water Tower, Delight Residents

A barn owl family has taken up residence in an empty water tower on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, close to Central Park, becoming the first documented nesting of the species in the borough. Neighbors and avid birders observed the owls on the rooftop, noting their distinctive heart-shaped white facial pattern and nocturnal habits. These owls prey on rodents and small birds, contributing to urban pest control.

Conservation groups highlight that while barn owls exist worldwide, they have become scarce in many regions. The occurrence follows other recent urban wildlife stories, including a Mandarin duck, an owl called Barry in Central Park, and a turkey named Astoria at Manhattan’s southern tip. Earlier, a escaped zoo owl named Flaco also gained social-media attention.