American Barn Owl Takes Up Residence on Manhattan's Upper West Side
A rare sighting of a barn owl in Manhattan has birdwatchers intrigued as the nocturnal predator appears to have permanently relocated to the Upper West Side, likely drawn by the abundance of prey.
An American Barn Owl has become a new, albeit feathered, resident of Manhattan's Upper West Side, with the bird actively hunting in the vicinity of Central Park. The owl, characterized by its distinctive heart-shaped face, has been observed in the neighborhood for approximately a month.
Residents first noted the owl by its unusual, raspy screeching, which was initially difficult to identify. The Merlin bird identification app eventually recognized the calls as belonging to an American Barn Owl. While the owl has been occasionally spotted in Central Park for the past two years, its recent and consistent presence on the Upper West Side suggests a permanent move. Experts believe the readily available population of rats in the urban environment is the primary draw.
"What’s new is it being, almost every night, on the Upper West Side outside of Central Park," said David Barrett, who manages the X account Manhattan Bird Alert. "It’s reasonable to think that this owl is hunting on the Upper West Side, where it’s pretty easy to catch a rat. Buildings have rats, and it’s easier to catch a rat on a flat surface around the building than it is in a park where rats have all sorts of places they can scurry to and hide."
Previously, birders theorized the owl might have commuted from areas like New Jersey's Meadowlands to hunt in Central Park. However, the plentiful rat population in the city appears to have convinced the owl to establish a full-time residence.
While barn owls are not entirely absent from the New York City area, sightings within Manhattan's core are rare. The New York City Parks Department notes that approximately a dozen barn owls inhabit an island in Jamaica Bay, and there have been other sightings in locations such as Pelham Bay and the New York Botanical Garden. These established populations are often supported by conservation efforts, including the installation of nesting boxes.
The presence of a barn owl in such close proximity to human dwellings and urban activity, particularly outside protected natural areas, does raise some concerns. Barrett pointed out that areas outside Central Park are often treated with rodenticides. "Rats outside Central Park can be assumed to be laden with rodenticides, or to have encountered them, at the very least," he stated, suggesting a potential risk to the owl if it consumes poisoned prey. Despite this, the owl appears to be in good health and thriving in its new urban environment.