American Barn Owl spotted living on Manhattan's Upper West Side

An American Barn Owl has been spotted living on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where it has been making itself known through loud, raspy screeches for approximately one month.

Local residents reported hearing the bird over Labor Day weekend, and neighbors have since observed the owl hunting in the area. Experts suggest the owl may have moved to the neighborhood to take advantage of the abundance of rats. While American Barn Owls are more commonly found in natural areas like Jamaica Bay, birders believe this individual may have previously been hunting in Central Park before moving to the Upper West Side.