A New Chapter for Octavia
This is quite the romance at Lenox Hill.
Octavia, the widow of the famed red-tailed hawk, has taken up with a younger partner named Henry, following the death of her long-time mate, Pale Male. They’ve made a cozy new nest in the Upper East Side, and it seems that their relationship is thriving—complete with a little one already!
Bird enthusiasts shared that Octavia moved her new feathered companion into the historic nest on Fifth Avenue a few months ago. The couple quickly settled in together.
“She’s definitely a cougar!” shouted Stella Hamilton, a longtime observer of Octavia since her arrival in Pale Male’s domain back in 2014.
“We thought her days of raising young were over. The last baby she had was in 2018, and then after Pale Male passed away, we really didn’t expect much. But then, bam! A new boy shows up, and suddenly there’s an egg and a baby.”
Henry, appearing on the scene about two months ago, didn’t catch much attention at first. At roughly two years old, he seemed a mere newcomer to the halls of fame. But Octavia, known for her spirited and somewhat rebellious nature, had already been through several brief dalliances since Pale Male’s passing.
Interestingly, after her infamous liaisons, none of her partners were quite up to snuff when it came to building nests that met her standards, leading her back to her original home.
Named by the popular channel Manhattan Bird Alert, Henry is thought to be around two years old, since his eyes still show some yellow—a characteristic that changes with age.
The two have been spotted sharing meals, tidying their nest, and lovingly tending to their new hatchling that appeared just last month. It’s heartwarming for the birdwatching community, especially considering how much Pale Male’s passing is still felt.
He held a legendary status, reigning in the area for three decades, and is known for fathering at least 23 young hawks throughout his life—though his later years were devoid of offspring.
Octavia is now in her prime, as red-tailed hawks typically live about 15 years in the wild.
In any event, “she’s found her new partner in Henry, and they have a little one to care for now. We’re all just thrilled that she’s found happiness again,” said Hamilton, sharing in the joy of this new family.
