The Legend of Pale Male is a fascinating documentary film that tells the true story of Pale Male, a red-tailed hawk that took up residence in New York City’s Central Park in the 1990s. Since its release in 2009, many viewers have wanted to know where they can watch this unique nature documentary.
What is The Legend of Pale Male about?
The Legend of Pale Male chronicles the true story of an urban red-tailed hawk that surprisingly made its home on a posh Fifth Avenue building overlooking Central Park. The hawk, nicknamed Pale Male by birdwatchers, arrived in 1991 and built a nest with his mate on a luxury apartment building. The pair raised hatchlings there for over a decade, surviving the hazards of the big city. They became local celebrities with New Yorkers and visited Central Park regularly to hunt. However, conflict arose when the building’s co-op board had Pale Male’s nest removed over mess and safety concerns. This sparked protest and outrage from New Yorkers who had embraced the hawks. The documentary captures the drama of Pale Male’s survival against the odds of the urban jungle and humans’ complex relationship with nature.
Where can I stream The Legend of Pale Male online?
Unfortunately, The Legend of Pale Male is not currently available to stream on most major online platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+. However, there are still ways to watch it online:
- The documentary can be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, and Vudu. Prices are generally between $2.99 to $12.99 for rental and $7.99-$12.99 to purchase.
- Hoopla and Kanopy – The Legend of Pale Male is available to stream for free with a library card on these digital platforms.
- The film’s distributors have made the full documentary available to view for free on Vimeo.
Where can I watch The Legend of Pale Male on broadcast or cable TV?
You may be able to find The Legend of Pale Male airing on television if you keep an eye out for nature documentary programs. Here are some options to watch it on TV:
- PBS – The Legend of Pale Male previously aired on PBS stations, including WNET New York. Check your local PBS station’s schedule for re-airings.
- The Nature channel – This PBS-affiliated network has aired the documentary before and may schedule it again.
- National Geographic Channel – This channel occasionally shows nature-themed independent documentaries like The Legend of Pale Male.
- HBO Family – The documentary has been part of HBO Family’s lineup in the past.
Your best bet is to regularly check the TV listings for nature documentary programs on PBS networks like Nature and national channels like Nat Geo Wild. The Legend of Pale Male tends to air during blocks or seasons focused on animal-centered stories.
Can I watch The Legend of Pale Male on DVD?
Yes, you can purchase The Legend of Pale Male on DVD to watch at home. Some options include:
- Buy the DVD through Amazon or eBay.
- Check if your local library has The Legend of Pale Male on DVD available to borrow.
- Purchase the DVD from independent distributors like Collective Eye Films.
Owning the DVD makes The Legend of Pale Male easy to watch anytime. It also provides great bonus features like an audio commentary track and deleted scenes to dive deeper into Pale Male’s story.
When and where was The Legend of Pale Male filmed?
The Legend of Pale Male was filmed in New York City between 1991 and 2009. Documentary footage captures Pale Male and his mates nesting outside their Fifth Avenue building overlooking Central Park. The production team staked out the nest site for years to carefully capture intimate footage of Pale Male raising hatchlings. B-roll scenes were shot all around NYC to complement the hawk’s story, like the busy streets from above, Pale Male soaring over the skyline, and hunting grounds like Central Park. The documentary authentically captures NYC as Pale Male’s surprising urban habitat.
Who made the documentary The Legend of Pale Male?
The Legend of Pale Male was directed by Frederic Lilien and produced by Frederic Lilien, Barbie Zelizer, and Julie Anderson. Notable crew members included:
- Cinematographers: Jan M. Nickman and Paul D. Berriff.
- Editor: Charlotte Kaufman.
- Original music composer: Paul Brill.
The team of NYC-based filmmakers were granted exclusive access to document Pale Male’s nesting site across many years. Their skilled wildlife photography captured Pale Male’s private life high above Fifth Avenue in intimate detail.
How long did Pale Male live in New York City?
Pale Male lived in New York City from 1991 to 2022, residing at his Fifth Avenue nest for over 20 years. Key facts about Pale Male’s extraordinary urban life include:
- 1991 – Arrived in Central Park area and roosted on buildings along Fifth Avenue
- 1992 – First spotted by birdwatcher Lincoln Karim who named him Pale Male
- 1993 – Built first nest with mate Chocolate on residential building at 927 Fifth Avenue
- 1994 – First hatchlings photographed attracting public interest
- 2004 – Nest removed over mess and safety concerns, sparking protest
- 2022 – Pale Male passed away at approx. 32 years old after injuring his wing
For over three decades, Pale Male survived and thrived alongside millions of New Yorkers, breaking records for the oldest wild red-tailed hawk documented. His long life in the big city made him a legend.
What happened to the red-tailed hawks after Pale Male?
Since Pale Male’s passing, his offspring and their mates now nest and roost around Fifth Avenue. This includes:
- Pale Male Jr – Son who inherited father’s territory
- Third – Pale Male Jr’s daughter who often roosts on Pale Male’s former building
- Orb – Son of Pale Male Jr who resides further north on Fifth Avenue
NYC birdwatchers and fans continue to spot Pale Male’s descendants soaring over Central Park and the skyscrapers he once ruled. His offspring carry on his legacy as the famous red-tailed hawks of Manhattan.
Why did Pale Male become so famous?
Pale Male became an unlikely celebrity in the 1990s and early 2000s for these reasons:
- He unexpectedly chose to live in an iconic urban location – Fifth Avenue and Central Park in bustling Manhattan.
- New Yorkers were fascinated that a wild hawk could thrive in such a dense, urban environment.
- His Rockefeller Center-adjacent nest and dedication to raising hatchlings amazed city dwellers.
- Dramatic conflict over his nest’s removal captured headlines and public sympathy.
- His survival against the odds personified NYC’s resilient spirit.
For over two decades, Pale Male captivated New Yorkers and birdwatchers as a symbol of nature’s triumph in the urban jungle. His unconventional lifestyle made him a legend.
How can I learn more about Pale Male?
Here are great ways to learn more about the famous Red-Tailed Hawk of Fifth Avenue:
- Read the book Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City by Janet Schulman about his life.
- Visit the website palemale.com created by devoted birdwatcher Lincoln Karim.
- Take a Central Park Hawk Watch Tour to visit Pale Male’s former nest sites.
- Check out the New York Times articles documenting Pale Male’s story.
- Follow the social media accounts @palemaleofficial on Instagram and Pale Male on Facebook for photos.
Pale Male’s impact left a lasting legacy on New York City that new generations continue to discover.
Conclusion
The Legend of Pale Male offers a one-of-a-kind look at the true story of New York’s famous Red-Tailed Hawk. While the full documentary may not be streaming online, there are still many ways to watch the film through rental, purchase, DVD, and possible TV airings. Pale Male became an urban legend by making Fifth Avenue and Central Park his home for over 20 years. His legacy continues to inspire both birdwatchers and New Yorkers today. For those enchanted by this unique saga of wildlife in the big city, viewing The Legend of Pale Male is a rewarding and fascinating experience.