Tomorrow (7/3) at 11am PT/ 2pm ET there will be a live conversation with raptor expert, Dr. Rob Bierregaard, about Ospreys.
The osprey is sometimes known as the sea hawk, fish eagle, river hawk or fish hawk. The osprey differs in several respects from other diurnal birds of prey. Its toes are of equal length, its tarsi are reticulate, and its talons are rounded, rather than grooved. The osprey and owls are the only raptors whose outer toe is reversible, allowing them to grasp their prey with two toes in front and two behind. This is particularly helpful when they grab slippery fish.
Fish make up 99% of the osprey's diet; but occasionally they may prey on rodents, rabbits, hares, amphibians, other birds, and small reptiles.
Osprey are found on all continents except Antarctica. Individuals in the tropics and subtropics are resident, but others migrate to the lower latitudes of the Amazon Basin, South America’s northern coast, or West Africa in the non-breeding season. Migrants begin moving to lower latitudes in August and arrive by October, returning in March and April. Birds are generally solitary and usually migrate alone, but may congregate in small groups at roosts or plentiful food sources. The species migrates on broad fronts and is not dependent on land bridges during migration; birds readily cross bodies of water using flapping flight, but can soar easily over land. It is entirely diurnal.
An Osprey may log more than 160,000 migration miles during its 15-to-20-year lifetime. Scientists track Ospreys by strapping lightweight satellite transmitters to the birds’ backs. The devices pinpoint an Osprey's location to within a few hundred yards and last for 2-3 years. During 13 days in 2008, one Osprey flew 2,700 miles—from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, to French Guiana, South America.
They inhabit the areas around shallow waters, being sufficiently tolerant of human settlement to persist in suburban and sometimes urban environments.
In Greek mythology, Nisos, a king of Megara became an osprey to attack his daughter after she fell in love with Minos, King of Crete.
The osprey is depicted as a white eagle in heraldry, and more recently has become a symbol of positive responses to nature.
