Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

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Osprey (Accipitridae: Pandion haliaetus)

The Osprey breeds primarily in the North Boreal Forest, but it also summers throughout the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico and Arizona and along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The species spends the winter in the southeastern United States and southward into tropical America. The Osprey is also found in Europe and Asia. The Osprey a few decades ago was in extreme danger because of the thinning of their eggshells by pesticides (such as DDT). Ospreys have made a strong comeback recently and are again found in areas from which they had disappeared.

Identifying Features: The Osprey's head is white with a thick black band (like a mask) running through the eye. The underside of the bird in flight is a distinctive combination of black and white. The back of the Osprey is dark brown.

Similar Species: The Northern Goshawk also has a white head with a black mask, but the back is gray, not dark brown. The breast of the Goshawk has thin, dark streaks. These streaks are absent in the Osprey.

Habitat: The Osprey, during the breeding season, is usually found along the margins of lakes, ponds, and open swamps. They are commonly found nesting in dead trees sitting in the open water. Ospreys are also found along seacoasts.

Food: Ospreys feed on fish. They search for fish by flying or hovering over the water. If a fish is sighted, they dive steeply into the water grabbing the fish with their talons. Ospreys have the unusual habit of always flying with the fish facing forward in their talons and will adjust the fish's position if necessary.

Behavior: The call is a loud chirping. The feeding behavior was noted above.

Reproduction: Ospreys nest in trees or other upright objects. Osprey conservation efforts placed telephone poles in suitable habitats and the Ospreys placed their nests on the tops of the poles. Some Ospreys nests on rocks or the ground. The nest is a mass of sticks and other debris. The clutch consists of 2 to 4 white, pink, or tan eggs, spotted with brown.