Birds of Prey
The Osprey is one of the most widespread birds of prey and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Did you know Canada supports one third of the world’s osprey population? They are superb fishers and indeed eat little else—fish make up 99% of their diet. Ospreys hunt by diving to the water’s surface from ten to 30 meters (30 to 100 feet) up. They have curved claws with a reversible outer toe and gripping pads on the soles of their feet which helps them pluck fish from the water and carry them for great distances. In flight, Ospreys will orient the fish head forward to ease wind resistance.
Nesting
Most Ospreys are migratory birds that breed in the north and migrate south for the winter. The Osprey readily builds its nest on man-made structures, such as telephone poles, channel markers, duck blinds, and nest platforms designed especially for it. Such platforms have become an important tool in re-establishing Ospreys in areas where they had disappeared. In some areas nests are placed almost exclusively on artificial structures. They lay eggs, typically three, which both parents help to incubate. Osprey eggs don’t hatch all at once, but are staggered in time so that some siblings are older and more dominant. When food is scarce these stronger birds may take it all and leave their siblings to starve.
Environmental Indicators
The Osprey is an indicator of the health of the environment. They are a valuable indicator species for a few reasons. First, they are at the top of the food chain, which means they’re likely to be affected by any environmental changes. Second, they are highly visible, making them easier to monitor. Lastly, they have one main food source—fish—and they hunt only in a very specific area (i.e., close to the nest). If something is affecting the fish population, the ospreys will show telltale signs indicating a problem.
Osprey in Florida
If your winter vacation takes you to Florida, here are some interesting facts about Osprey in that region. This is nesting their season. In southern Florida, Ospreys begin nesting in late November; further north, on Sanibel Island, they start nesting in January, and pairs in north Florida are nesting by late February. The large bulky nest consists of a huge pile of interwoven sticks, lined with soft material such as moss or grass. The nest looks like a Bald eagle nest but is smaller. Ospreys usually nest in the tops of tall trees, but in Florida Bay and the offshore islands, with no tall trees, nests are in low mangroves or even on the ground. Ospreys often nest on radio towers, light towers at ball fields and man-made nest platforms. As the number of suitable tall trees dwindles, these birds regularly nest on utility poles and many Florida electrical companies have programs to accommodate Ospreys.
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