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Osprey Pandion haliaetus Family: Accipitridae (Eagles, Kites & Hawks)  |
Description: Also known by the name "Fish Hawk" because they will even plunge into water to grasp fish in their talons, Characterstic of Accipitridae family, (eagles, kites, hawks) the Osprey has a powerful hooked beak. Brown above (the nape, back and ), brown tail with white bands. The male has a white crown and a pure white underbody (chin, throat, breast and belly). The female is similar - with the main difference being a dark necklace of throat streaks. Flight feathers viewed from underneath are white with black bars. Their distinct bend in their elbow gives them an identifiable wing shape that may help you identify them when you seen them soaring. Although they were once becoming devastated by DDT, the osprey has rebounded. Nesting: The nest is mass of sticks and "found objects" (reports have included observations of clothes, a straw hat, an arrow, rope, a broom, fishnet, toys, old shoes, fish line, bottles, tin cans, sea shells, and more.) These large birds are strong enough to recover large objects. The nest is found in what the Osprey considers a safe, high place such as on top of dead or live trees, utility poles, shacks, billboards, chimneys, windmills and fences. They usually have a single brood of 3-4 hatchlings with incubation taking just over a month. Range: (April-November) They migrate a relatively short distance. Breeds from northwestern Alaska and northern Yukon to central Labrador and Newfoundland, south to Baja California, southern Texas, the Gulf Coast and Florida. Winters from the southern United States to South America.
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