Osprey Basics

The osprey is a charismatic species that connects cultures throughout the world. No matter where you live on the planet there is a good likelihood that osprey breed near you, winter near you, or move through your area during migration. More than just being near you they are a living indicator of aquatic health. Just like osprey, we all depend on clean water.

The best way to learn about osprey is to go out and watch them in their natural surroundings. Everyone should experience this amazing and resilient predator for themselves.

Description

The osprey is a large raptor ranging from 20-24 inches (50-60 centimeters) long with a wingspan of 5 to 5 ½ (1.5-1.7 meters) feet. Plumage is dark on the back, dorsal surface of wings, and crown. Belly, breast, and underwings are light. Facial pattern is light with a dark mask running through the eye. Young-of-the-year birds are distinct from adults in having buff edges on dark feathers and typically have less bright breasts and bellies. Young birds have bright red eyes compared to the bright yellow eyes of the adults. Females of all ages are larger than males and in most populations tend to have a more pronounced “necklace” of dark feathers. In flight, ospreys have arched wings and drooping “hands” giving them a distinctive, gull-like appearance.

osprey silhouette

Distribution

The osprey is one of the most cosmopolitan raptor species occurring on every continent except Antarctica. Populations breed throughout northern latitudes of North America, Europe, and Asia. Most populations are highly migratory. New world populations migrate to South America and old world populations migrate to Africa, India, and south-east Asia. Non-migratory, resident populations exist within the lower latitudes of the breeding range. Throughout their breeding and winter ranges osprey thrive wherever there are shallow bodies of water with abundant fish. View the IUCN Red List distribution map for this species.

banded osprey

Nesting

The celebrated annual return of nesting osprey to breeding sites ranges from January through May with southern populations returning early. Upon arrival, pairs begin to repair old nests or build new nests. Osprey nests are large stick structures often built in trees or man-made structures near or over water. Ambitious pairs have been known to build nests as large as 10 feet deep and several feet wide. As nest building nears its conclusion courtship and mating intensify resulting in the laying of 2-4 eggs. Eggs vary considerably in coloration but typically have a cream-colored base with blotches of some secondary color. Both adults alternate incubating eggs for approximately 35 days before hatching. Males are responsible for most of the hunting in the early part of chick rearing while females brood and feed the chicks. Young grow rapidly and begin to fly around 8 weeks of age. Young birds remain on the winter grounds until they reach 2 to 3 years old when they may return to breeding grounds to prospect for nesting territories. They typically breed for the first time when they are 3 to 4 years old or older. Adults have high mate fidelity and many pairs mate for life.

osprey nest
Stage
a

Adult Arrival

Look for 2 adults on the nest. The adult pair will show pair bonding behaviors such as vocalizations, aerial sky dances, and the male feeding the female fish. You may see the pair copulating, which typically begins 14 days before laying eggs.

b

Incubation Initiation

Females will lay 1 - 4 eggs at a rate of one egg every 1 - 2 days. After laying, incubation starts. Look for adults taking turns sitting low in the nest incubating eggs. The incubation period can last 35 - 43 days.

c

Clutch Hatching

Chicks hatch ~39 days after incubation begins. Look for adults bringing food to the nest and making "head bows" into the center. Chicks typically can't be seen until they are 2 - 3 weeks old, so feeding behavior is the only way to know chicks are there.

d

Nestling Count

Around 4 weeks after hatching, look for the heads of chicks to show over the rim of the nest, particularly when adults bring food to the nest. Other times they lie flat and are harder to see. Count the number of chicks in the nest before they learn to fly

e

Fledgling Count

Chicks begin flying around 7 - 8 weeks old, and are still fed by the adults. Count the number of chicks who have successfully fledged the nest and are observed flying.

f

Chick Last Observed

4 - 10 weeks after fledging, chicks begin leaving the nest area to migrate south, once they have learned to fly and feed themselves. Record the date that the last chick left the nest.

x

Nest Failure

Look for signs of nest failure like adult abandonment, adults no longer incubating eggs or feeding young.

Foraging

Osprey are fish specialists with live fish representing more than 99% of their diet. They are dramatic hunters that fly or hover over the water to locate fish below the surface and then plunge into the water feet first to capture prey sometimes becoming completely submerged. Their nostrils close to keep out water. They have an unusual opposable toe that can face forward or backward. When they capture or hold fish they have 2 toes oriented forward and 2 oriented backward similar to an owl. They have highly specialized barbs on the pads of their feet that allow them to grip fish. Their feathers are also very oily for extra waterproofing as they plunge into the water. Their wing configuration gives them a great deal of lift to emerge from the water carrying large fish. As they fly up from the water surface they frequently shake the water from their feathers like a dog.

osprey flying over water