Flaco hatched in a South Carolina bird park in March 2010. Two months later, when he was barely a fledgling, he was transferred to the Central Park Zoo, where he would spend almost 13 years. On the night of February 2, 2023, Flaco’s enclosure was vandalized by an unknown perpetrator who cut open the protective wire mesh, allowing Flaco to leave the zoo behind. Although he’d never had a chance to hone his flying skills in his small housing (he had a six-foot wingspan), he made his way to a sidewalk at 60th Street and Fifth Avenue. Pedestrians gathered to look at him, and police were called in case the bird was injured. Officers placed a pet carrier near him, but Flaco flew off to a tree by the nearby Plaza Hotel and evaded rescue. New Yorkers largely broke into two camps: those who felt that Flaco should be captured to ensure his safety, and those who believed that he should roam free: “Some saw him as an underdog, others, as an immigrant, still others saw an outlaw. More than a few, I imagine, saw him as all those things rolled into one.” Meanwhile, the bird strengthened his flying skills and learned to hunt New York’s abundant rat population. He also won the hearts of birders, wildlife photographers, and many others. Emery and Lei document Flaco’s remarkable adventures in text and in many magnificent photos, taken by the authors and other enthusiastic followers. It’s packed with details about the physiology and habits of owls, as well as delightful vignettes of Flaco’s antics (including fun images of him peering into apartment windows). This ode to Flaco is also effectively a tribute to the community he brought together—a diverse collection of city folk who shared real-time sightings and formed new friendships. Despite Flaco’s eventual sad demise, this is an inspirational tale of a valiant, curious escapee.