osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 22 inches Wingspan: 54 inches

• Large, narrow-winged hawk

• Flies on flat wings with distinct kink at elbow

• Wings taper to a rounded tip

• Short hooked beak

• White cap

• Dark brown eyeline broadening behind eye

• Dark brown nape, back and upperwings

• Wings from below: flight feathers white barred with black, under       secondary coverts white and underprimary coverts black producing  rectangular black mark at wrist

• White chin, throat, breast and belly

• Brown tail has a number of white bands

• Hovers and then plunges into water after fish

Adult male:

• Underparts entirely white

Adult female:

• Dark necklace of streaks on throat

Immature:

• White tips to dark back feathers

Similar species:

Unmarked white belly, wing shape, and flight style make the osprey
instantly recognizable even at a distance.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size:3-4
Length of Incubation: 32-43 days
Days to Fledge: 48-59
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Primarily fish

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

Back to Inventory of Bird Families and Species