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Finding Flaco: Our Year with New York City's Beloved Owl
David Lei, author
Flaco the Eurasian eagle-owl landed on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan bewildered and afraid after his enclosure at the Central Park Zoo was vandalized on February 2, 2023. Many feared for his safety and welfare because he could not fly well and had never hunted before. He evaded rescue for the next two weeks and began to embrace his new life as a wild owl. Flaco initially settled in Central Park and later explored neighborhoods around Manhattan, enchanting New Yorkers everywhere he went. He sadly and unexpectedly died a year after his release on February 23, 2024, when the hazards of the urban environment finally caught up with him. Wildlife photographers Jacqueline Emery and David Lei were immediately fascinated by Flaco and observed him more than 150 times, from the night of his release until the week before his death. The photos and firsthand accounts they shared contributed to making Flaco one of the most well-known and beloved animals in the world. Finding Flaco tells the story of this beautiful, charismatic, and intelligent bird based on the intimate looks that Emery and Lei had into his life. They document Flaco’s remarkable transformation as he learned how to do owly things like fly, hunt, establish territory, protect himself from mobbing birds, and adapt to the four seasons. And they draw exciting parallels between Flaco’s behavior and that of the other owls who have recently resided in the park. The book also examines how and why Flaco meant so much to so many, showcasing stories and artwork by some of Flaco’s most ardent admirers. Although Flaco’s adventures in the city ended tragically, his legacy lives on. The book explores the community response to his death and ongoing efforts to make New York safer for raptors and other birds. Emery and Lei also offer insights gleaned from their observations of nearly twenty wild Eurasian eagle-owls in Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands and their conversations with local conservationists and researchers.
Reviews
This beautifully designed book captures, through text and inspired photographs, the journey of Flaco, a Eurasian eagle-owl who spent 13 years in captivity at the Central Park Zoo before unexpectedly finding freedom. When an unknown person tampered with his enclosure, Flaco—a bird who had never known life in the wild—ventured into the sprawling urban wilderness of New York City. His escape sparked a whirlwind of emotions: Who set him free? Could he survive without human care? Could he fly, hunt, and fend for himself in the wild? Emery and Lei delve into these questions, chronicling Flaco’s incredible story and demonstrating throughout how “smart, courageous, and resilient” he has proven to be in the face of challenges.

Initially, Flaco was seen walking on Fifth Avenue, seemingly unable to fly but still managing to evade attempts to recapture him. Despite the best efforts of the zoo, the Wildlife Conservation Society, other rescuers using baited traps, Flaco showed remarkable savvy and independence. He ultimately found a perch in Central Park itself, defying expectations of what a zoo-born owl could achieve. The authors were among the first to track Flaco nightly, watching anxiously to see if he would adapt to his new life. Their excitement proves infectious as they recount how, against all odds, Flaco’s instincts took over: he flew across the park, hunting and exploring areas from the Lower East Side to the Upper West Side. His story captivated countless New Yorkers, uniting them in awe and admiration for this determined owl.

Flaco’s courage—choosing freedom over the safety of captivity—became a symbol of hope and resilience in the heart of the city. Stunning photography captures the thrill of spotting Flaco in the city (witness him perched on balconies, park benches, and construction equipment) while also vividly conveying the owl’s emotions, from curiosity to triumph. Emery and Lei’s narrative invites us to walk alongside them on the chase, sharing in their awe and wonder at this remarkable owl’s transformation.

Takeaway: A zoo owl’s once-in-a-lifetime adventure in New York City.

Comparable Titles: Jennifer Ackerman’s What An Owl Knows, Leigh Calvez’s The Hidden Lives of Owls.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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