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A rare family of barn owls moved into Manhattan's Upper West Side. New Yorkers are captivated

Manhattan's Upper West Side has been reveling in the company of its latest celebrities: A family of barn owls nested in a water tower atop a building near Central Park.

A rare family of barn owls moved into Manhattan's Upper West Side. New Yorkers are captivated

In Manhattan's Upper West Side, a family of barn owls has made its home in a water tower near Central Park, marking the first documented breeding instance of barn owls in the city. These elusive birds, known for their nocturnal habits and secretive nature, have attracted nightly crowds of both seasoned birders and casual observers.

The sighting was first reported on October 6 by Upper West Side resident Elisabeth Williams, who notified a local news outlet after spotting multiple owls at the water tower. Experts, including migration ecologist Andrew Farnsworth, confirmed that this is the first known documented breeding record of barn owls in Manhattan, a rarity given New York's location at the northern fringe of the species' range and the decline in their population.

New Yorkers, both bird enthusiasts and non-birders, have been captivated by the owls, with photographers and casual onlookers gathering nightly to spot the birds.

Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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