The osprey, or fish-hawk, is a large, ubiquitous raptor found anywhere there are large bodies of water, fresh or salt. If it has fish in it, the osprey will be patrolling above it.

Found all over the world, the osprey is unmistakable when seen at close range. Having a white breast and belly, the back is mostly black or dark brown. The head is distinctive with a notable white crest. It weighs about 5 pounds and has a wing span of 5 to 6 feet in length.

Ospreys live near large bodies of water where there are forested areas near the shore. Along the coast, the bays, along rivers and estuaries, lakes and reservoirs, even salt marshes are breeding zones for the osprey. They are magnificent fishermen. They hover over the water, plunging feet first when they spot a fish. They don’t often miss their prey. Solidly clamped in their talons, the fish is held facing forward, presumably for aerodynamic reasons. They fly with their catch with slow wing-beats interspersed with glides, slowly gaining altitude.

Ospreys build large nests near water on top of dead trees or artificial structures that are denuded of branches such utility poles. Suffering the decline of the overuse of DDT years ago, ospreys have rebounded extremely well. In recent years their numbers have increased so much that nesting sites are hard to find. The birds have taken to nest building on tops of navigation buoys. On the Chesapeake, it’s rare to find a buoy without a nest. The birds have become habituated to boat traffic. As sailboats glide silently by, the bird and the people eye each other with curiosity to no ill effect.

The nest itself is a messy affair, looking like a bunch of sticks and small branches plopped down willy-nilly. The birds re-use the nest every year, placing more twigs and sticks on top of the old. They typically raise two young. Both parents incubate the eggs, then the female stays with the young once hatched while the male hunts and supplies all the nourishment for his family.

Ospreys are migratory raptors, wintering well south of the US border. They appear each Spring in early April in the Chesapeake region. The monogamous pair seek out last year’s nest, to which they add a fresh layer of sticks. Then, they begin their ritualistic bonding through aerial flight displays and courtship feeding.

The Osprey vocalizationare multiplepenetrating squeaks. While not loud, it can be heard over hundreds of yards. It’s not uncommon to clearly hear an osprey overhead that can only be seen as a tiny dot soaring above.

© Consumer Guide by David Sullivan