| The Osprey, or fish hawk, is widely distributed throughout the world though as a breeding bird it tends to be rare, choosing to remain within one specific locale. A large bird with a wingspread approaching six feet, it is more readily identified than most birds of prey. The Osprey is brown from above and there is a dark black band through the eye and cheek and the wings are noticeably bent at the bent at the "wrist". Its white breast, strikingly barred wings and tail and distinctive head pattern combined with its close association with large bodies of water, make identification easy.
The breeding grounds is near rivers lakes and seacoast across most of Alaska and all but the northern most part of Canada. The breeding habitat extends from the the Great Lakes across the St Lawrence Seaway and New England. Down the Atlantic Seaboard and along the gulf coast. They are also present along the pacific coast and inward across the north western states where ever water is present.
Most birds of prey are very solitary in their nesting habits but ospreys commonly nest in colonies, which in by-gone days numbered in the hundreds. Plum Island in Massachusetts formerly held the largest known breeding colony, which was estimated at five hundred pairs.
A number of factors gradually caused a serious decline in osprey populations. An all time low figure for osprey was reached in the 1960's when indiscriminate use of harsh pesticides seriously interfered with calcium metabolism of birds at the top of the food chain. Like its cousins, the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon, the osprey produced thin-shelled eggs that broke before incubation was complete.
Happily, within the past few years, thanks to the restriction of pesticides and the introduction of artificial nesting platforms, the Osprey is showing signs of recovery and are beginning to renest in areas where they had disappeared.
The female is fed by the male from the time of courtship until the eggs are laid. A clutch consists of 2 to 4 pinkish-white eggs usually marked with brown and are laid in a nest made mostly of sticks and other various and sundry materials. Nesting sites vary from buoy markers to telephone poles or dead fir trees along lakes. Nests are reused and become rather bulky after several seasons. The eggs are incubated mostly by the female for about 32 days while the male brings food to the nest. The young leave the nest after 8 weeks.
The Osprey hunt by hovering high over the water and watching for fish below. When prey is spotted it folds its wings and dives steeply like a bullet catching the fish in its talons. The fish is adjusted so that the head is forward in flight. Rodents, birds and crustaceans may also be taken. The young are fed regurgtant material and each hatchling may eat up to 2 pounds of fish per day.
Length 22 to 25 inches, Wingspan up to 72 inches
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