Flaco the owl dies after apparent collision with building on Upper West Side 

I just read the story last week, and I was so happy he was free-so sad😢

He died poisoned most likely. He was already ill but the toxicology reports will confirm it in a few days.

His unfortunate suicide is a testament to how difficult life can be

Is this why we're against zoos? we want them to just live for 1 year "wildin" it's out?

@@ritzbreciodon’t you realize the reason he died in the wild is because he was probably raised in captivity. Birds like that if they grow up in the city they will not just fly into a building. Surprised he made it that long sometimes they’ll even struggle to get food and starve

He's flying high with beautiful doves in heaven. 🕊🤍

​@@staychillex6960 That area is a haven for owl prey. A literal buffet of rats, mice, other rodents.

If a pigeon died the same way, would you feel the same towards the pigeon? If not, why? Is it because the pigeon is shaped differently from that of an owl? They're both conscious animals just the same.

I would feel the same way no matter what type of bird.

Yes, there are! Fascinating creatures, Owls are! And, Owls are special to Potterheads all over the world. Do you why that is?

@christinedaae7323 I was fortunate enough to have a few years of a screech owl nest directly in front of my 2nd floor porch. Got to see everything from mating to first flights .. unfortunately the massive silver maple decided to fall.. I should know why owls are special to potterheads .. but I don't...

Owls are my favorite animal in the world. To me, this is a travesty.

Owls are special to Potterheads around the World because they deliver the Mail and from Point A to Point B. Hedwig is probably the most famous of all Owls in Harry Potter, because she was The-Boy-Who-Lived’s Owl. But, there are others.

If a pigeon died the same way, would you feel the same towards the pigeon? If not, why? Is it because the pigeon is shaped differently from that of an owl? They're both conscious animals just the same.

I kept thinking, something will happen to him.

Same here! It’s so sad 😭

you knew he would fly into a building? was he drunk flying??

Probably saw his reflection or just got blind sighted.

I'm glad he tasted freedom too but he should have been sent back to the zoo.

For that reason, I like to think of Flaco as kind of “The Sirius Black of Owls.” Because, Sirius Black, a Character from Harry Potter, never fell in love or got married. That’s the connection I make between Flaco the Owl, and Sirius Black from Harry Potter.

​@@christinedaae7323The bots have evolved and are reading Harry Potter now.

The reason why he flew away from areas that he knew well was most likely because he was looking for a mate...

@@skipperg4436 100%

Peeper? What’s a Peeper?

😂😂😂😂

Democrats won’t be in heaven more like hell with joe Biden and abc

Don't be said. He died free! Without a cage, and hunting using his God given instincts.

He passed away free, and not in a cage. A better fate imo. He tasted freedom. How would YOU like to be in a cage your whole life?

Yep it is. Many birds make nest under bridges and be fluttering around, then get hit by passing semi trucks. It's happened to me, and I hate when it happens.

​@ChrisJones-yu9rz it's a ZOO animal you moron, yes some animals are better off being in the care of humans, people really need to learn the difference between a wild and DOMESTICATED animal.

​@ChrisJones-yu9rz Who are you even talking to? They already said he was better off free in Central Park you weirdo 🤦‍♂️

Its hard to believe he died flying into a building. He was on his own for over a year! You would think he was used to the buildings there. If any I would expect him to die because of the cold weather

Yeah, they need to be banned

Yup i once saw a dead hawk in manhattan. It had crashed into the hospital i work in. All clear glass building

Birds fly into the solid walls of my house because either they're chasing (predator birds) or being chased (little birds) and fail to maneuver well. It's usually not because they can't recognize windows.

Owls are just dumb

​@@madtrucker0983 But not as DUMB as you.

same, once the owl moved in they either ran, hide or get eaten, it's amazing.

You just learned the word hoot didn't you

I'm thinking about big glass window's....

I think the “vandal” was trying to set the owl free

*"Animals are all innocent pure souls"* -People who rarely live past 40 cause they can't stay away from wild animals.

A "Harambe" reference!!

😭😭😭😭

Never4get🦍✊️

That's bc he's an idiot

Finally a REAL answer.

And the words "Bird Lives Matter".

​@@ccasey1904For the life of me - as a proud, life-long Democrat - I cannot figure out how New Yorkers, especially Democrats in the City, were either sold or fooled into voting for that řæť-bæ§ťæřđ. Even as an outsider looking in, I could just tell that Eric Adams was a poor Michael Bloomberg, or a black Rudy Giuliani - except worst... two words: police state.

Or they could put something reflective on the Windows as that’s usually what they fly into.

bro was born in captivity, not in the wild

Well. Eurassian eagle Owls are not native to the United States. Probably born in captivity and was sold to the Zoo here. Probably kept for educational purposes. Hand fed all his life and when he Got out the main concern was to capture asap him because he was going to starve since most captive animals dont know how to hunt. After a few days they Notice his instinct was kicking in and was hunting. I'm sure they had a tracker on him. and saw he's taken up home in a nice area and not going anywhere too crazy. See how the public LOVE it! I'm sure the story was bringing in alot of attention to the Zoo and Donations to help out. Story probably brought a lot of young interest in Owls and probably had a Spike in Young people visits to the raptor exhibit to learn more about the other Owls. Those owls in the wild live to about 20 years old and he was already 13. (They can live to 50+ in captivity and I'm sure they had other owls as well) I'm sure after 2 or 3 days of handlers trying to catch it. realized well there is no urgency from fear of him starving since he hunting. we can just relax and monitor him and grab him eventually. and After his popularity grew and more revenue and donations came in, I'm sure they were able to get a new younger one. and someone probably said, "You know allowing him to just remain free and be a NY mascot is just Good for the soul" If he got sick, they were tracking him and would be ready to pick him up. Shit at that point why not? He was basically still a Zoo attraction even out there.

That sad

Flaco chose freedom over security. Owls are wise.

​@@maxwellcrazycat9204New Yorkers have neither.

@@Bitterstone3849 Flaco was a New Yorker..

WTF are you talking about 😂

@@madtrucker0983 escaped from confinement, was free and stopped only by an immovable object. 😅

@@dolphinguam9552 Was let out, flew around while on the lamb, and crashed straight into a building. 🤣

Poor guy. Had lost a lot of flight hours and was in pure euphoria until…😕

Good question. He may have been radicalized during his time free.

Also incorrect spelling 😂😂