Flacofolio

Author: Leonard Schwartz

Publisher: Spuyten Duyvil (2025)

Flaco, the eagle-owl liberated from his enclosure at the Central Park Zoo, captivated the city. He remained in Central Park for nine months living on his own, eventually also exploring nearby buildings and neighborhoods in Manhattan. In February 2024, one year after his escape, Flaco died after colliding with a building on the Upper West Side. Poet Leonard Schwartz and artist Heide Hatry explore the implications of the Eurasian eagle-owl’s sojourn.

This remarkable encounter between a people and a bird, and between a poet and a visual artist, is also a beautiful ode to New York City. It is filled with surprising insights and startling cultural references. All in all, it makes for a perfect gift to give a lover of nature, or a spiritual treasure to hold onto and cherish.