Osprey
If
you ever have the opportunity to sit beside a large lake, like
Texoma or Eufaula, and watch the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) dive
into the cold water for a fish meal, you will be amazed at the
show.
The osprey is a large, eagle-sized bird of prey whose diet
consists mainly of fish, but has been known to eat rodents,
reptiles and other birds. They hover over the water in search of
an unsuspecting fish swimming close to the surface. Once located
they dive into the water with wings back and talons ready to
capture their prey and fly back to the nest or perch. Ospreys
have been known to hit the water with such force that they break
their wings. An adult can carry a fish up to four pounds, but
have been drowned by large fish, like salmon and sturgeon, too
big for the osprey to carry off.
Adults range in length from 21-24 1/2 inches with a wingspan of
54-72 inches wide. Females are usually larger than males, but
sexes look alike otherwise. Adults have a dark brown back with a
white underbelly. The breast can be somewhat spotted or streaked
with brown. The top of the head is white similar to the bald
eagle, although ospreys also have a distinguishing dark band
that runs across the side of their head. The undersides of the
narrow wings have dark spots on the sharp bend of the wing.
Nesting takes place either singly or in colonies, in large, dead
or dying trees in nests made of limbs, twigs, bones, seaweed,
grass and most any other form of support. Both parents help
build the nest and will use the same nest year after year. Nests
have been known to weigh up to half a ton. Man has tried to help
the osprey with nesting by building nesting platforms for them
to use as well. This practice has helped to increase nesting
efforts in certain areas. Ospreys have been known to nest in
some other out of the ordinary places like chimneys of houses,
telephone poles, tops of duck blinds, rock ledges and on school
buildings.
Nesting takes place from January to April in temperate parts of
the U.S. Gestation is 32-33 days. Incubation begins with the
first egg laid and usually consists of three eggs total. Eggs
range in color from white to light brown with dark blotches. The
female will not catch her own prey during incubation, but will
rely on the male to feed her. Young will make their first flight
after about seven and half to eight weeks.
Young will return back to their natal area after approximately
two to three years. Just like their cousin the bald eagle, adult
ospreys will not breed until their third year.
The best time to watch for this magnificent bird is throughout
the fall and winter. Whether you’re a veteran bird watcher or a
weary traveler, the osprey is a beautiful and graceful bird of
prey you won’t want to miss seeing in your travels throughout
Oklahoma.