• Northern Harrier
• Osprey
• Red-Shouldered Hawk

Osprey

The Osprey is a large fish-eating hawk; it looks like a small eagle with its white crest, but it has a dark mask through the eye. It is the only hawk that dives into the water.  It has an unusual habit when it carries the fish it catches. The fish is always aligned head first in its talons. It will even flip the fish during flight to get it head first! We have spent some time watching the Osprey fish.  It is strong and agile, and we have found it to be as curious about us as we are about it!  It is the only hawk that allows us to get up close enough to photograph.

Description

Male and female Ospreys look alike but the female often has streaks or a “necklace” across her breast. They are dark above, white below, with round heads.  The head is mostly white with a field mark dark eye stripe and yellow eyes. They have crooked wings which bend at the wrist; there are dark wrist marks on the under wing. The long toes on their feet have a coarse spiky surface which helps the Ospreys grip heavy fish. Their flexible toes and can configured with three toes forward, one back, or two forward and two back to better grip fish.  They have hooked bill; the tail is long and has narrow bars. The juvenile has pale fringes on the feathers of its upper parts,  a buffy colored breast, and red eyes.

Range and Habitat

Ospreys are found worldwide, on every continent except Antarctica.  They are found near the coast, large bodies of water, rivers, estuaries, or lagoons, which are able to support good sized fish. In North America, it winters in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas, southward to central and northern South America.  They are highly migratory.

Behavior

The Osprey beats its wings and hovers just before diving feet-first into the water; it catches a fish just below the surface of the water. Two talons can be moved to each side if the fish for a better grip.   It sometimes submerges completely, and might even swim for a short distance. The Osprey has nostrils that can close to keep out the water. The wing design of the Osprey gives it the lift that is required to emerge from the water.  In flight,  its narrow wings are held  slightly arched while it soars, similar to a gull’s flight.    It has a 65″ wingspan with a slow, deep wing beat; it flaps more than it soars. The Osprey is often seen in flight with its legs dangling.  It prefers to eat only fish, but may eat small mammals is food is scarce.  You also might see the Osprey taking its fish up high off of the ground.  It likes to eat on a high perch. It also can be found perching or resting on poles, trees and other high areas. The Osprey’s call is a loud, clear, whistled “kyew”.

Breeding and Nesting

The Osprey breeds from Alaska south, along the coast to Mexico. During breeding season, the pair performs aerial displays, which serves to cement their relationship with each other. They place their nest near fresh or saltwater. It is a platform nest made of sticks and twigs in a tree, on a cliff, on the ground, on a nesting platform, or a pole.  The female lays 2-4 eggs. Both of the parents incubate the eggs for about 40 days.  After the young hatch, the male will bring food to the female and the young.  Both parents will continue to feed the young as they grow.  The chicks fledge in about 48-53 days. Pairs or their offspring may return to the same nest year after year. Because of this, the nest can become rather large.  Some have been found to measure seven feet across and ten feet deep.

Photo Gallery Osprey

Osprey Lake Balbora Encino, CA Ospreys are found all over the world and on every continent, except for Antarctica. Osprey Lake Balboa Encino, CA You can find them near fresh and salt water, lakes, lagoons, estuaries and rivers, anywhere there are good-sized fish. Osprey Lake Balboa Encino, CA They like to rest on poles, trees and other high objects. Osprey Santa Barbara Jetty Santa Barbara, CA The Ospey has yellow eyes and a dark, hooked beak. Osprey Santa Barbara Jetty Santa Barbara, CA Ospreys are dark above and white below. The sexes are similar but the female has more brown on her breast. Osprey Santa Barbara Jetty Santa Barbara, CA They have round, mostly white heads with a field mark dark stripe through the eyes. Osprey Pismo Beach Lagoon Pismo Beach, CA The Osprey's wings are long, narrow; it has a slow, deep wing beat and flaps more than its soars. Osprey Lake Balboa Encino, CA Notice the long talons on the toes. They can move their toes in various ways to better hold onto a fish or a pole. Osprey Pismo Beach Lagoon Pismo Beach, CA Their unusual, flexible feet have a spiky covering on the toe pads to grip slippery fish; they sport long talons Osprey Oceano Lake Oceano, CA Their wings are held slightly arched when they fly, like a gull. There are dark marks at the elbow of the wing. Osprey Santa Barbara Jetty Santa Barbara, CA You can see how thick and compact their feathers are, which help prevent water logging. Osprey Oceano Lake Oceano, CA When fully stretched out, the wings can measure up to 63" in length. Osprey Lake Balboa Encino, CA The tail is long and has narrow bars. Osprey Lake Balboa Encino, CA Curious and intelligent, this Osprey was watching us, watch him. Osprey Lake Balboa Encino, CA Their call is a loud, clear, whistled "kyew." Osprey Lake Balboa Encino, CA It back flaps its wings in order to land on the pole. Osprey Lake Balboa Encino, CA This Osprey moved from one side of the lake to this tree for a different view of the lake. Osprey Oceano Lake Oceano, CA The Osprey flies high above the water, beating its wings and hovering when it spots a fish. Osprey Oceano Lake Oceano, CA It dangles its feet and dives with a great burst of speed feet first into the water. Osprey Oceano Lake Oceano, CA Pausing to rest, this wet Osprey came up empty handed after diving several times. Osprey Oceano Lake Oceano, CA It catches fish just below the surface of the water and may submerge completely or swim a short distance. Ospey Oceano State Park Oceano, CA They prefer to take their prey to a high perch to feed. The fish is held in a head first position. Osprey Lake Balboa Encino, CVA Although its thick feathers help to reduce water logging, this Osprey is drying out after diving. Osprey Oceano State Park Oceano, CA A bald eagle might steal fish from the Osprey in areas where their ranges overlap.