A young barred owl believed to be Barry, a local celebrity, perched on a tree branch in Central Park. TERRI NEEDHAM / FLICKR

BY SOPHIA CHANG, Gothamist

A beloved barred owl who died after colliding with a park maintenance vehicle Friday will be remembered in a vigil Monday, which will be held under her favorite tree by the boathouse in Central Park.

The owl is believed to be Barry who became a local celebrity after she took up residence in the park last year and sat calmly through countless sightings and photos by birdwatchers.

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Around 2:30 a.m. Friday, a Central Park Conservancy maintenance vehicle was driving “slowly using lights and flashers on the West Drive (in low 60s) doing routine park maintenance when the accidental collision occurred,” said a spokesperson for the CPC, in an email.

While the spokesperson said the Conservancy cannot confirm that the owl is indeed Barry, the CPC had announced the news “with a heavy heart” on social media Friday, noting that the owl was “flying low, likely in search of a meal” when the vehicle collided with the bird.

“The barred owl’s presence in Central Park brought so much joy, reminding all of us that the Park is a vital greenspace for all New Yorkers, including the wildlife that call it home,” the Conservancy said.

Barry was just over a year old, according to the New York Times, based on the coloring of her feathers, and became a fan favorite for her expressive eyes and her unflappable demeanor, maintaining her presence even as birdwatchers approached mere feet away.

Related news stories:
Famous Central Park owl killed in crash with truck (BBC News)
Barry the Owl, Beloved by N.Y.C. Birders, Dies in Central Park (NYT)
Owls in New York City’s Parks