NYC Barn Owls: Rare Birds Get Nesting Box Amid Construction
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New York City
Where are the NYC barn owls? Rare birds get new nesting box but remain elusive
By Lucy Yang
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 3:43AM
For the first time in memory, barn owls have nested in Manhattan, captivating residents and bird experts alike. They chose a rooftop water tower on West 75th Street as their home, drawing attention from those lucky enough to hear their calls.
Upper West Side resident JF Grossen recalls his fascination: "We don't have connection to nature so when something like this... a miracle happens, it's pretty cool."
The pair of adult owls and their five fledglings made their home in the tower, with nightly feeding visits from the parents. However, their habitat was threatened when workers began dismantling the tower.
This sparked concern from the state Department of Environmental Conservation who issued a cease-and-desist order. Ultimately, a new nesting box was installed, allowing construction to continue.
"I've heard Monday from NYSDEC allowed workers to resume reconstruction of the water tower for purposes of making certain that residents get clean drinking water," said Manhattan Borough President Brad Lander.
Despite the new nest, the owls seem to have flown the coop. The construction noise and nearby workers likely made the area too noisy and unsafe for the young owls.
New Yorkers hope the family finds a quieter place to nest.
"All owls are magical. Captivate New Yorkers. Nocturnal. Secretive. Hard to find. First time I know of barn owls nesting in Manhattan," said Jessica Wilson of the NYC Bird Alliance.
The owls' presence has sparked widespread interest, even leading to the cancellation of a drone show by the New York Road Runners before the marathon to protect the family.
Whether the young owls return to West 75th Street remains to be seen, but their brief visit has already left a lasting impression on the city.