Many folks call this stunning raptor a “fish hawk.”
Mike Blevins
For a good reason! Ospreys are amazingly efficient and successful at catching fish, the food for 99% of their diet. This talented bird lands a meal between 25 and 70 percent of the time. Stated differently, they make a catch approximately every 12 minutes during hunting time!
These birds have specialized equipment that helps during fishing – barbs on the pads of large feet for holding slippery fish, a reversible outer toe, long legs, waterproofing on their wings and the ability to close their nostrils when diving.
Ospreys nest on and around the rivers and lakes of the southern Appalachian Mountains and valleys. The structures look (to us anyway) like a messy pile of sticks on a platform. For those who live near or on the water, this species would benefit from additional nesting sites. All the proper information and plans for constructing a safe Osprey platform can be found on Cornell’s NestWatch site.
Fun Facts
During an Osprey’s 15- to 20-year lifespan, they can migrate more than 160,000 miles. The name of this bird can be traced back 600 years or more.
Mike Blevins
How to Identify an Osprey
This large bird with a white head and an average wingspan of five feet is often mistaken for an eagle. However, Ospreys always have a distinctive dark stripe of feathers across the eyes; the easiest difference to spot. When seen from below in flight, they look mostly white and have an M-shape to their wings.
Osprey Habitat
Lakes, rivers, lagoons, marshes and coastlines on every continent except Antarctica
Conservation Note
The Osprey is a signature species for conservation success beginning with the ban of DDT in the United States. Numbers have increased over the past four decades; and, the construction of nesting platforms along waterways continues to help this species.
ABOUT THIS SERIES:
“Birds of the Blue Ridge” showcases frequently seen and rare birds across the southern Appalachian region. For over four decades, Angela Minor has traveled with binoculars and field guides across the continental U.S., Alaska, the Caribbean and seven European countries. She is a contributing editor with BRC magazine and a freelance writer, penning travel and nature feature articles for several regional and national print publications. Angela created and authored the state park birding series for Bird Watcher’s Digest.
Read More by Angela Minor: BlueRidgeCountry.com/AngelaMinor