DJ Featherton
I went to University in Wisconsin. Getting a break from the classroom would give me a chance to do a little fishing on a northern lake. If I was lucky, I’d be joined by the best fisher of all, the beautiful and dramatic Osprey. This great bird, also known as the Fish Hawk, would steal the show as he would dive from high in the air and crash at full speed into the water and catch a fish. He’d then fly out of the water, shake his wet wings off in midair and land in a tall pine to enjoy his catch. This would go on all day. It was spectacular.
As years passed, pesticides and DDT were banned and the eagle and Osprey populations grew at record speed. Now, the Osprey’s range is from Alaska, most of Canada, all through the United States and Mexico. These skilled fishers are common around any water environment worldwide, except for Antarctica. They’re not shy. They will build their giant nests made of big sticks by highways, on top of telephone poles, or in light towers at the ball field. I now live in Florida and the Ospreys are everywhere, and are still a spectacle to behold.
The Osprey is smaller than a Bald Eagle and bigger than a Red-tailed Hawk. Their length can exceed 22 inches and their wingspan reaches nearly 6 feet. The Osprey is a hawk and not related to the eagle. Even as a hawk, they are quite different from the others. Their body is lean and their wing is long and narrow with a slight bend at the wrist. The Osprey is dark brown on top with a white head and brown streak running through the large yellow eye. The under parts are mostly white with some dark checks and a distinctive dark patch at the wrist of the wing. This is a beautiful bird.
Unlike other hawks, the Osprey’s diet is strictly fish. They will soar over the water until their prey is spotted, then hover to take aim, then a lightning drop, feet first into the water. Their success rate is about one in four, and that’s phenomenal! When they fly from the water, they hold their fish head first for less wind resistance. The Bald Eagle holds his fish side to side. These two magnificent birds share their fishing territories, but the eagle will steal the Osprey’s fish any time he can. A real birding spectacle is to see a Bald Eagle chasing an Osprey with a fish in his talons. These great birds will out maneuver each other until the Osprey finally drops his prey and the eagle catches it mid-air for himself. This is something to see! Better put that fishin’ rod down and pick up those trusty binocs to not miss this extraordinary birding drama.
Ok, look for the little white heads sticking up from those gigantic nests and watch these young birds grow. Listen for the Osprey’s screechy and persistent call. And, if I’m not at home, me and the Ospreys have gone fishin’!
