Anne Marshall Runyon 



Great Lakes, the northern Rocky 

 Mountains and the Pacific Northwest. 



The U.S. osprey migrates southward 

 to the Caribbean, Central America and 

 South America during winter months. 

 The exception is the osprey population of 

 Florida, which keeps a year-round 

 domicile. Other isolated pairs, for no 

 clear reason, choose not to migrate, 

 Brown says. Unlike other raptors, young 

 ospreys spend extended time on their 



wintering grounds before heading north 

 during their third year. This provides 

 extra time for them to develop foraging 

 skills. 



The osprey, also dubbed the "fish 

 hawk," stays close to abundant supplies of 

 fish, except when migrating. In captivity, 

 researchers have discovered that an 

 osprey will refuse to eat fish that have not 

 been freshly killed, Brown notes. This 

 preference has created problems for some 



researchers studying ospreys outside their 

 natural habitat. 



Ospreys are monogamous birds; they 

 mate for life. During courtship, the male 

 flaps vigorously over the nest of a female, 

 calling out loudly and often presenting her 

 with a fresh fish. Pairs return to the same 

 nest year after year, adding twigs and bark 

 to their ever-expanding home. 



The female lays about three beige 

 eggs, highly camouflaged to undermine 

 threats from common predators such as 

 bald eagles and crows. 



During the incubation period, about 

 four weeks, the female will remain with 

 the eggs while the male hunts fish to bring 

 back to the nest. Osprey chicks, or eyas, 

 remain in the nest for about eight weeks 

 until they fledge. A bird has fledged when 

 it has the feathers it needs to fly and live 

 independently. 



An osprey' s body is uniquely 

 designed for performing its aquatic feats. 

 Marked with black wings and a white 

 underbody and head, the osprey boasts 

 long legs for plunging into the depths of 

 the water. The soles of the bird's feet are 

 equipped with small, sharp spikes just 

 right for snagging fish. 



With keen eyesight, the osprey homes 

 in on its prey from above the water's 

 surface. The bird then plunges feetfirst 

 into the water, often submerging its body 

 completely, and snatches the fish with its 

 talons. The fish is usually carried in flight 

 head forward — a surprising ride for the 

 fish, to be sure — until the osprey finds a 

 spot to stop and devour it. 



Ospreys have been reported to prey 

 on birds, mice and other mammals, but 

 these remain exceptions in their diet. 



With patience and a dash of luck on 

 your next trip to the coast, you 

 might catch a glimpse of one of North 

 Carolina's best coastal fishers. □ 



For more information about ospreys, 

 plan a visit to the N.C. Aquarium on 

 Roanoke Island. The aquarium has a new 

 osprey exhibit featuring live video footage 

 of the nesting behavior of an osprey pair 

 that returns each year to a tower nest 

 outside of the building. 



COASTWATCH 21 



