Flaco the Owl: The Story of the World's Most Famous Bird

In February 2023, a great owl named Flaco, under strange circumstances, escaped from the cramped enclosure of the New York Zoo where he had lived his entire life, and made his way into the open among city neighborhoods—unexpectedly becoming a world-famous celebrity. Some insisted that he should be left in peace and that his right to freedom should be recognized; others worried that outside captivity the bird would not survive.

A year later, Flaco did die, but he managed to leave a lasting mark. Telling the story of the owl superstar, journalist David Gessner reflects on birds and birdwatchers, on city life, internet arguments, and the complicated relationship between humans and nature—and finds a special kind of beauty in the brief moments of free flight, even if they don’t last long.