Here you will find a small synopsis about ospreys. To find out more, go to Information Links.
Diet, Habitat and Identification
Ospreys are large raptors with long, slender wings. From afar you can tell them by their white plumage below, and dark brown above. They are about 21 to 23 inches in length with a wingspan of 59 to 70 inches.
You will often see ospreys wherever there is a large enough water source to provide a steady supply of fish. Fish is their main food source, taking up 99 percent of their diet. Ospreys are often mistaken for Bald Eagles, but can be identified by the white plumage on their undersides and under their wings.
You will often see ospreys wherever there is a large enough water source to provide a steady supply of fish. Fish is their main food source, taking up 99 percent of their diet. Ospreys are often mistaken for Bald Eagles, but can be identified by the white plumage on their undersides and under their wings.
Nesting
Ospreys nest on broken off trees, channel markers, human-built platforms; even cell phone towers and atop roofs! Usually in late March or early April, the male osprey will arrive at the nest site and build on the nest while he awaits the female. Once the female arrives(usually within two weeks), the pair bonds and builds on the nest together, the male bringing most of the materials and the female arranging them.
About two to three weeks after the pair arrives the female lays two to four eggs of a speckled-brownish white color. For the next 36 to 42 days the parents take turns incubating, although the job goes mostly to the female, whilst the male fishes for her.
After around 37 days the eggs hatch, but are still brooded by the mother for about three weeks. The chicks start exercising their wings and fledge at around 55-60 days of age. At around 80 to 100 days the chicks are ready to survive on their own and take the perilous journey to their wintering grounds in the southern US, sometimes as far south as Central and South America.
About two to three weeks after the pair arrives the female lays two to four eggs of a speckled-brownish white color. For the next 36 to 42 days the parents take turns incubating, although the job goes mostly to the female, whilst the male fishes for her.
After around 37 days the eggs hatch, but are still brooded by the mother for about three weeks. The chicks start exercising their wings and fledge at around 55-60 days of age. At around 80 to 100 days the chicks are ready to survive on their own and take the perilous journey to their wintering grounds in the southern US, sometimes as far south as Central and South America.