Jeepers Creepers where'd ya get those peepers

(Nan Knighton / WSJ)

I missed this lighthearted animal story from America's biggest city last year:

Flaco the Famous New York City Owl Has Become a Peeping Tom

...her feathered visitor was Flaco, an orange-eyed Eurasian eagle-owl who became a New York celebrity after he escaped a zoo in February and turned leafy Central Park into his home. He’s drawn binocular-toting crowds who couldn’t help but root for a creature, like them, trying to make it in the big city.

Over time, though, Flaco’s behavior has shifted. He’s become a true nosy New Yorker, a bit of a hoot and a real owl about town.

Flaco is a gawker, flying out of Central Park and around Manhattan, sometimes standing outside windows with his beak to the glass, and his large round eyes peering inside.

With a large fan base keeping an eye on his movements, Flaco seems to be fine. Animal authorities will leave him alone unless he shows signs of distress.

Speaking of movements, examination of his droppings shows that his diet includes rats. A win-win for the city that never sleeps.

I wanna wake up in that city, that doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill, top of the list
You're that a number one, king of the hill
Oh, little town blues, they have all melted away
And I'm gonna make a brand-new start of it, right there in old New York
You better believe it, bro
You always make it there, you make it anywhere
Come on, come through, New York, New York