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More About Ospreys ...
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The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution. It is sometimes known by the misnomers Fish Hawk, Sea Hawk or Fish Eagle.
It has white underparts and long, narrow wings with four "fingers", which give it a very distinctive appearance.
The Osprey is particularly well adapted to its diet, with reversible outer toes, closable nostrils to keep out water during dives, and backwards facing scales on the talons which act as barbs to help catch fish.
It locates its prey from the air, often hovering prior to plunging feet-first into the water to seize a fish. As it rises back into flight the fish is turned head forward to reduce drag. The feet are such effective tools for grasping fish that, on occasion, Ospreys have drowned because they were unable to release their grip on a fish that was heavier than expected.
It breeds by freshwater lakes, and sometimes on coastal brackish waters. The nest is a large heap of sticks built in trees, rocky outcrops, telephone poles or artificial platforms. In some regions with high Osprey densities, such as Chesapeake Bay, USA, most Ospreys do not start breeding until they are five to seven years old. Many of the structures they need to build nests on are already taken. If there are no nesting sites available, young Ospreys may be forced to delay breeding.
Ospreys usually mate for life. In March or earlier depending on region, they begin a five-month period of partnership to raise their young. Females lay 3-4 four eggs by late April, and rely on the size of their nest to help conserve heat. The eggs are approximately the size of chicken eggs, and cinnamon colored. The eggs generally incubate for 5 weeks. After hatching, 2-ounce chicks become fliers within eight weeks. When food is scarce, the first chicks to hatch are most likely to survive.
European breeders winter in Africa. American and Canadian breeders winter in South America, although some stay in the southernmost USA states such as Florida and California. Australasian Ospreys tend not to migrate.
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Source: Wikipedia Read more about Ospreys
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INFO LINKS
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Osprey
Pelotes Island Nature Preserve
Osprey Read More
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Osprey
Gough, G.A., Sauer, J.R., Iliff, M. Patuxent Bird Identification Infocenter. 1998. Version 97.1. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD
USGS data sheet on Osprey, including photographs, maps, taxonomy, identification tips, and life history information. Read More
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Osprey
The Longpoint schoolhouse
Osprey Read More
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Osprey
BBC Nature: Wildfacts
Osprey: Facts and Pictures Read More
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Osprey
eNature.com
Pictures, Sounds, and information about Osprey Read More
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Osprey
National Geographic
Osprey fact sheet and pictures; video clip; audio clip Read More
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Osprey
Bird Friends Of Lake Murray And San Diego County
Osprey pictures, description, and more Read More
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Osprey
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Extensive species account including range map, call details, 'cool facts', etc. Read More
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Osprey
Oiseaux.net (French)
Categorized information on Osprey including habitat, feeding habits, migration information, etc. Read More
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Osprey
Canadian Wildlife Service
Categorized and detailed information on habitat, diet, range, etc. Read More
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Osprey
Birds in Suriname
Brief description, pictures, and distribution map for Surinam Read More
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Osprey
Calgary's Weaselhead Society
About Osprey Read More
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Osprey
AvesdeChile.cl (Spanish)
Brief narrative about Osprey Read More
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