12 Facts About Pale Male

Pale Male, or Palemale, was a red-tailed hawk that resided in and near New York City's Central Park from the 1990s until 2023.

Pale Male was one of the first red-tailed hawks known to have nested on a building rather than in a tree and is known for establishing a dynasty of urban-dwelling red-tailed hawks.

When he arrived in Central Park in 1991, as a first-year immature hawk, Pale Male tried to nest in a tree, but he was driven off by crows.

Pale Male later roosted on a building on Fifth Avenue across the street from the park.

Pale Male brought food to his offspring about five times each day.

Pale Male's mate from 1998 to 2001 was a hawk known as Blue.

In early 2002, Pale Male was first observed with a new mate, Lola.

Pale Male was a young adult, with still-yellow irises, indicating her exact age.

In September 2012, Zena disappeared and was presumed dead, and Pale Male took a new mate, called "Octavia" due to her status as Pale Male's eighth mate.

On May 16,2023, wildlife rehabilitator Bob Horvath reported that Pale Male had been found "sick and grounded in Central Park" by New York City Urban Park Ranger Nick Baisley the previous day, on May 15,2023.

Pale Male was transferred into Horvath's custody and he immediately took the hawk to the veterinary.

Pale Male died on the evening of May 16,2023, at age 33.