OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) 



The nickname "Fish hawk" accurately describes the osprey, for its diet is 

 made up entirely of fish. The average consumption of an adult osprey is 

 approximately one pound a day. Magnificently adapted to this specialty, 

 the osprey has a strong, hooked beak, excellent eyesight, and talons espe- 

 cially adapted to fish-catching. The talons of the osprey have sharp spines 

 which aid the bird in grasping its prey. A conspicuous crook or bend in 

 the wing and black wrist marks near the crook are excellent flight field 

 marks. Research conducted in Yellowstone has revealed that human acti- 

 vity near nesting sites can have an adverse effect on breeding success. 

 Ospreys are frequently observed in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, 

 along the Snake River, and over Jackson and Yellowstone Lakes. 



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