The Osprey

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The Osprey is a large bird of prey reaching up to 2 feet in length with a wingspan of nearly 6 feet. Its back and wings are dark-brown to black making its white head and chest that much more prominent. The chest may be streaked with brown but the belly is always white. It has a dark strip running from its eyes to the back of its head that is often referred to as an eye patch. The Osprey's tail is short and blunt and its wings distinctive. They are long and narrow with finger-like feathers. There are 4 long ones with one distinctly shorter.

The male and female are similar in appearance with the female being slightly larger. She also wears a spotted "necklace" around her neck. Both have a black beak, white legs, and black talons.

Juveniles can be identified by the buff colored fringe on the plumage covering their back, streaked feathers on their head, and buff colored belly.

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The Osprey can be found throughout the world near bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, streams. It will also take up residence along the seashore and in the marsh. It will nest along any body of water as long as there is an adequate food supply.

The Osprey will build its nest along freshwater lakes, the brachish water along the coast, or in rocky outcroppings offshore. They are made of sticks and twigs similar to that of the eagle. The nest is built on top of powerline poles, bridges, buoys, elevated platforms or along a cliff edge. The nest sites may be in colonies or isolated.
The female lays 2 to 4 eggs that are incubated for 35 to 40 days. The chicks can hatch up to 5 days apart. When food is scarce, the older sibling will dominate the food leaving the younger ones to starve. The young fledge (fly) at 7 to 8 weeks and are dependant on their parents until the fall migration. They become sexually mature around 3 years of age.

The Osprey usually mate for life and will refurbish the same nest year after year. If nesting sites are hard to come by, the younger Osprey will not mate and breed for another couple of years.

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The Osprey is a carnivore feeding exclusively on fish. It will hover above the water until is spots its prey. It will plunge into the water feet first going depths of up to 3 feet. It will surface with the fish clutched in its talons.

With its talons rounded rather than grooved and the outer toe reversible, it grasps its prey with 2 toes in front and 2 behind. It is the only bird of prey able to do this. Consequently it is in a family of its own, Pandionidae.

When in flight the Osprey's wings are arched with the tips drooping giving it a gull-like appearance. They migrate to warmer climes in the winter, settling in Africa, South America, and the southernmost part of the United States.

The number of Osprey declined between 1950 and 1970 due to pesticide poisoning and eggshell thinning. After DDT was banned, the numbers increased. They are still listed as endangered or threatened in some states, but efforts to provide nesting sites has made a difference.