Hundreds turnout for memorial of beloved NYC owl Falco after he died colliding with a building

Hundreds gathered in Central Park Sunday to celebrate Flaco the Owl, New York City's favorite feathered friend, who tragically died after colliding with a building on the Upper West Side earlier this month. 

'With all of this challenging time that is happening all over the world, this bird really became a symbol of hope and brought so many of us together,' Breanne Delgado said. 

Flaco became an inspiration and joy to many as he flew around Manhattan after being let out of his zoo enclosure. 

A memorial featuring speeches, songs and poems was held in the late afternoon in Central Park at what organizers call Flaco's favorite oak tree. His death was a heartbreaking end for the birders who documented his daily movements.

Fans posted photos and videos of the majestic owl with a nearly six-foot wingspan perched on tree branches, fence posts, fire escapes and water towers - as well as his hours of hooting.

Hundreds gathered in Central Park Sunday to celebrate Flaco the Owl, New York City's favorite feathered friend, who tragically died after colliding with a building on the Upper West Side earlier this month

Flaco became an inspiration and joy to many as he flew around Manhattan after someone let him out of his zoo enclosure

A memorial featuring speeches, songs and poems was held in the late afternoon in Central Park at what organizers call Flaco's favorite oak tree

David Lei, an avid birder in the city, said losing Flaco was hard to put into words. He added the owl faced the same fate as many other birds in Manhattan - flying into the deceptive windows of tall buildings.

'Flaco was larger than life and is leaving behind a legacy to match,' Lei said. 'I thank him today, as I did every day I got to see him, for the joy, awe and wonder he inspired in us throughout his journey.'

People at the ceremony advocated for new laws aimed at helping to prevent birds from flying into buildings and curbing the use of rat poison that larger birds can ingest while eating prey. Efforts also are underway to put a statue of Flaco in Central Park.

Flaco was found dead on the Upper West Side on Feb. 23 after apparently hitting a building. 

He was a rare Eurasian Eagle-Owle who previously called the Central Park Zoo home - until the bird was reported missing from his exhibit last February. 

It was later revealed that vandals had cut Flaco's stainless steel mesh cage and set the owl free into the skies of New York City. 

Against all odds, Flaco survived on his own, despite fears that his plush life at the zoo - where he was fed and tended to by workers - had set him up for failure. 

Flaco's death was a heartbreaking end for the birders who documented his daily movements and the legions of admirers who followed along

People posted photos and videos of the majestic owl with a nearly six-foot wingspan perched on tree branches, fence posts, fire escapes and water towers - as well as his hours of hooting

People at the ceremony also advocated for new laws aimed at helping to prevent birds from flying into buildings and curbing the use of rat poison that larger birds can ingest while eating prey

Testing by zoologists concluded he suffered traumatic impact injuries, but more testing is planned to determine whether he may have been sick.

Police are still seeking to arrest whoever let him out of his enclosure.

Reports of hoots were heard in the area, according to David Barrett’s Manhattan Bird Alert account on social media.

The bird's body was found just a few blocks away - confirming what Flaco's fans had feared after hearing the news of distressed hoots on his regular stomping ground.

Following Flaco's disappearance from his Central Park Zoo enclosure last year, a full bird hunt was launched to safely return the feathered-creature to his home. 

He was spotted shortly after being reported missing on the city's iconic shopping stretch on Fifth Avenue. 

Flaco was then intercepted by the NYPD on a sidewalk by 60th Street but eluded their custody. The next morning he made off into Central Park. 

'Our focus and effort at this time is on the safe recovery of the owl,' zoo officials said. 'We will issue updates as needed.'

Efforts also are underway to put a statue of Flaco in Central Park

Flaco was found dead on the Upper West Side on Feb. 23 after apparently hitting a building

New Yorkers hold a memorial for Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle owl who died last week, leaving cards in his memory under a tree where he often roosted

Despite efforts, Flaco maintained his status as a free bird and was even rumored to have taken a vacation from his Central Park pad in search of a mate.

Experts believe he abandoned the park in November to search for a mate after he was spotted five miles away on East 3rd Street.

He was thought to be the only member of his species in North America, meaning his search might have had to expand further than downtown Manhattan.

'It's the time of year when these owls look to pair up if unattached,' tweeted fans at Manhattan Bird Alert.

'Flaco's hoots have gone unanswered for a long time now.

'He was last observed in Central Park on the evening of October 31, and that's when we think he left.

'He likely took short, incremental night flights in the course of hunting that carried him five plus miles in six days.

'He is unaware that no mates are anywhere in the region.'

Despite efforts, Flaco maintained his status as a free bird and was even rumored to have taken a vacation from his Central Park pad in search of a mate

Experts believe he abandoned the park in November to search for a mate after he was spotted five miles away on East 3rd Street

He was thought to be the only member of his species in North America, meaning his search might have had to expand further than downtown Manhattan

Flaco was less than a year old when he arrived at Central Park Zoo in 2010 taking up residence near the Penguins and Sea Birds building.

He had little chance to develop his flying or hunting skills in captivity but has thrived since his escape and been spotted eating up to four rats at one sitting, belying his name that means 'Skinny' in Spanish.

His fans were nervous he would fall victim to the rodenticide used to poison rats that is thought to have contributed to the death of a barred owl known as Barry, who died in the park in 2021.