The whole excitement comes from the fact that snowy own hasn’t been sighted in Central Park since 1890. Seeing this own was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, since they usually prefer colder, rural environments. They can be seen in upstate New York during the winter and sometimes even on Long Island.

@BirdCentralPark
We were also part of the lucky crowd that enjoyed our beautiful visitor today.⁰
We were more welcoming than some.
Wonderful experience. :) pic.twitter.com/t5k6IkeKcc

— Michael Smith (@emeseditorials) January 27, 2021

This own was identified as a young female based on her black markings. These species hunt small rodents, but can  also feast on rabbits.

Unfortunately the elegant owl had no such luck with her fellow birds. A territorial red-tailed hawk flew close to attempt to chase off the arctic intruder, but her feathers were only a little bit ruffled. She had to flap her wings to shoo away a group of crows who similarly took exception with her presence. Raptors such as snowy owls sometimes hunt crows, leading to a natural animosity.

Once in a lifetime appearance of the Snowy Owl in NYC Central Park, North Meadow yesterday (1/27/21). A video clip of the owl being harassed by the very loud crows and not moving an inch. #birdcp #SnowyOwl pic.twitter.com/OPaVGMQva9

— Vee Nabong (@VenusNabs) January 29, 2021

Despite her short stay, the snowy owl of Central Park has enchanted New York (and the world) as much as Rockefeller the saw-whet owl did when found in the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Birders of New York must now await the return of a snowy owl to Central Park—hopefully in less than a century.

Snowy owl in Central Park!!!!! Spent my lunch today (27Jan2021) ogling this beauty with the throng of fellow birding paparazzi. #birdcp #birdnerd #snowyowl #nikonphotography pic.twitter.com/XxWS2flUEW

— EJ Bartolazo (@ejbarto1) January 28, 2021

Four more of the latest celeb-‘birdy’ snowy owl in Central Park (NYC) seen yesterday (27Jan2021). One of the crows being a nuisance,stretching her wings, shrugging off the haters and displaying her displeasure of a nearby Cooper’s hawk. #birdcp #birdnerd #nikonphotography #owls pic.twitter.com/0he6zcBzW8

— EJ Bartolazo (@ejbarto1) January 29, 2021

Here are my obligatory contributions to the snowy owl photos. I took a break from work to see the second ever recorded snowy owl in Central Park (the last was in 1890). #birdcp pic.twitter.com/qbRLIqTCvs

— Ben Stadler (@TheBenStadler) January 28, 2021

Another action shot I took of the #SnowyOwl and the #Hawk from yesterday. Fun day! @BirdCentralPark @ABA #furloughedbirder #birding #birdingnyc pic.twitter.com/hQDwjFbynb

— Joel Lowden (@bostexnyc) January 28, 2021