Snowy Owl Returns To Central Park For Duck Hunting

NEW YORK CITY – Bird watchers flocked to Central Park Friday night to witness a historic moment in city birding – a snowy owl hunting ducks on the reservoir.

"Prior to this week, this is something that had never been seen before in Central Park," said David Barrett, who runs the popular Manhattan Bird Alert Twitter account. "It was wonderful, fun behavior to watch."

The owl, which first appeared in Central Park on Jan. 27, had not been seen since and had left NYC bird enthusiasts disappointed until this Wednesday, when Barrett heard it had been spotted at the Central Park Reservoir North Pumphouse. After sharing some images of the owl at its new perch on Twitter Thursday, dozens of people arrived at the site Friday evening to catch a glimpse of the raptor in action.

Just after 6:30 p.m., the bird was spotted flying low over the water, likely showing some interest in duck hunting, Barrett said. While snowy owls typically hunt small ducks, this one did not appear to have any lucky with its multiple trips.

"It took off from its perch on the south east tower of the Pumphouse four or five times and flew low over the water, but it never came close to getting a duck," Barrett said.

The owl's lack of success likely comes from its young age, Barrett said, which birdwatchers can tell from its plumage. While older snowy owls are typically mostly white, young owls – like the one in Central Park – have heavy "barring," or black stripes, all over. In addition, Barrett said it is likely a female snowy owl, due to the narrow white bib under its throat.

"She likely hatched over the summer in Canada and this is her first foray out of the arctic tundra," he said.

While the owl might not be a successful duck hunter, Barrett said it is clearly surviving – most likely on rats, which are similar to the lemmings snowy owls hunt in the arctic.

The owl spent a total of 40 minutes in on top of the Pumphouse, allowing onlookers plenty of time to capture photos and videos of the raptor taking off and landing as it hunted.

Despite the excitement, onlookers and owl-watchers remained quiet and respectful, Barrett said.

"If this was in the daytime, we never would have had the opportunity to be this close to her," he said. "But she was perched high enough that she felt safe and secure and sat there watching us back."

Barrett said he encourages bird enthusiasts to give snowy owls lots of space during the day, which is when they rest. When they are hunting and more active at night, it is easier to get a little closer – while still remaining a safe distance away.

Around 8:45 p.m., the owl was spotted on the Central Park Tennis Courts, northwest of the pumphouse, before it flew north.

Meanwhile, about 100 meters away, a female peregrine falcon was perched in a tree just south of the pumphouse – a tree she visits regularly, Barrett said.

"It was an amazing night for two great predators," he said.

Bird watching has become very popular among cooped-up New Yorkers over the past year, who have spotted a rare western tanager and a white-fronted goose on Manhattan's East Side, and other owls in Riverside and Central Parks — as well as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.