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Osprey
pair on the nest
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Ospreys usually mate for life. They build conspicuous nests on
tall structures such as the tops of dead trees and utility
poles, high above the ground away from human disturbance and
predators such as raccoons. These nests are usually near a
source of abundant food supply such as lakes, rivers and coastal
waters. The female lays 3 to 4 mottled cinnamon colored eggs
that incubate for 5 weeks. The chicks begin to fly within 8
weeks.
Ospreys return to the same nest year after year and they
continue to add on to those bulky cumbersome structures made of
dry sticks.
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| The osprey, also known as the fish hawk, with an average
weight of between 2.5 to 4 lbs., has a body length of about 2 ft
and a wingspan of about 5 ft. long, sharp talons, brown wings
and back and white feathers on its breast and upper legs. A
conspicuous M crook in the long wings, a black
"wrist", dark brown stripes across the eyes and dark
bands on the underside of the tail feathers confirm
identification of an osprey in flight.
The call of an osprey is a series of loud clear whistles.
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Flying
osprey
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Home
with lunch |
Ospreys hunt by soaring at about a
hundred feet over water and once they have sighted their prey,
they hover for a few moments, then fold their wings tightly,
dive swiftly head first and just before striking the water they
throw their long legs forward so that both breast and feet enter
the water simultaneously. The males hunt far and wide for food
while the females stay on or near the nests during the breeding
season. Ospreys have the unusual habit of always flying with the
fish facing forward in their talons. An osprey will take any
kind of surface fish of varying sizes and has been recorded
carrying fish of up to 4lbs in weight. Short spines on the
bottom of their feet help them hold a slimy fish. |
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Sharp talons and a strong hooked beak make it
easy for an osprey to tear into
a fish. The bird also has
oily feathers that help keep them dry as they splash into the
water when fishing.
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Eating lunch
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