There are many varieties of birds in nature, including the most amazing ones. These can be both familiar birds and completely rare species. It is in the latter category that the bird called the osprey, or osprey, belongs. Today, as part of our article, we will get acquainted with this amazing creature, consider what makes the Osprey bird remarkable, what it looks like, where it lives and what it eats, as well as why this feathered predator is on the verge of extinction.
Appearance
Externally, the bird differs from other representatives of its species. The description of the osprey bird is quite characteristic, and it is not easy to confuse this feathered predator with other inhabitants of the sky. Looking at the photo of the osprey bird, its size immediately catches your eye. The osprey bird is quite large:
- Its wingspan reaches 1.8 m.
- Body length 0.6 m.
- The mass of an individual varies from 1.6 to 2 kg.
Females weigh more than males.
What does an osprey bird look like? Its back is dark, and its chest and belly are almost white. Males are lighter than females. Another sign by which a female can be identified is a kind of “necklace” of specks on the chest.
On the sides of the head, starting from the eyes, there is a characteristic stripe of dark feathers. The wings are dark brown. The legs and beak are black. The feathers are hard and have water-repellent properties. Young individuals differ from older ones by being more spotted. The eye membranes of young individuals are orange-red. The birds' voice is abrupt and sharp, reminiscent of the sound "kai-kai".
The nostrils of these birds have peculiar valves that serve as protection against the ingress of water. The legs are strong, the tail is short, the fingers end in sharp claws. Under the claws there are spiked pads that allow the osprey to hold slippery prey. The hind and middle toes are the same length. The outer finger is reversible. Such adaptations are not accidental. The fishing bird Osprey is an aquatic predator whose main diet is fidgety and slippery fish. It can be quite difficult to wriggle out with such a grip.
Living conditions
Despite the fact that representatives of this species of birds are relatively few in number, they are distributed across all continents of the planet, except Antarctica. It is not known whether sea eagles nest on the South American continent, but they winter in Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. Birds of prey love to nest in winter on islands in the Red Sea and in Egypt.
The osprey fishing bird winters on the Indonesian islands, the Philippines and Malaysia. Sometimes the sea eagle is caught on the territory of Australia and the islands of Melanesia (for example, on the Solomon Islands). These birds have completely mastered the North American continent. They are found along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, in Florida and even in Alaska. The summer habitat of ospreys reaches northern latitudes. In Europe these are Iceland and Scandinavia.
The Osprey bird of prey prefers to settle along the banks of shallow bodies of water - lakes, rivers and swamps. The main part of their diet is fish.
Osprey nests at some distance from bodies of water (about 3-5 km), but sometimes they make their homes on small islands or on coastal rocks. The main condition is that the nest site be sufficiently safe and inaccessible to predators. Birds fly away from their nests at a distance of 14-15 km. If individuals do not have offspring, they travel less.
Nutrition
It is no coincidence that ospreys are called sea eagles. These are fishing birds. Fish makes up about 98% of their diet. They do not have any specific food preferences. The prey of a predator can be fish, which can be seen from the height of the bird's flight.
Sea eagle hunting is a fascinating and very beautiful spectacle. Ospreys ambush very rarely. In most cases, they look for fish in flight, from a height of 10-30 m. Having seen a potential victim, the bird quickly descends with its wings laid back and its clawed paws extended forward. At this moment, the feathered predator resembles a super-fast fighter. The calculation is so accurate that the fish has virtually no chance of escape.
According to ornithologist statistics, the percentage of successful osprey dives reaches 75%. The bird catches fish not with its beak, but with its claws. It dives to a shallow depth, grabs its prey and, with a powerful flap of its wings, abruptly breaks away from the water. The osprey holds the fish tightly with the help of special spikes on its paws. At the same time, she easily carries prey almost equal to her in mass. The victim can weigh from 0.1 to 2 kg. The sea eagle holds the fish in front with one paw, and in the back with the other.
The feathers of representatives of this species are water-repellent, so after immersion in water the bird retains the ability to fly. Sometimes the predator dives quite deep. In this case, the Osprey bird, moving its wings, shakes off excess water and takes off.
However, hunting for feathered predators is not without known risks. If the prey is too strong and massive, the feathered hunter may dive deep into the water. He cannot free himself from prey: the grip of his claws is almost dead. At the same time, the sea eagle chokes in the water and drowns.
Sometimes ospreys diversify their diet with small rodents and reptiles. In the tropics, the predator sometimes treats itself to even small crocodiles. An important condition: ospreys do not eat carrion. Food must be fresh. The source of water for them is still the same fresh fish.
Where did the name come from
So why was the bird named osprey? Translated from the Kolyma language, the word “osprey” means “fisherman” or “aquatic hunter”. By diving into the water and sinking their claws into their prey, sea eagles obtain food for themselves. Representatives of this species form a separate family, consisting of one biospecies, in the order Accipitridae.
Why sea eagles are rare
Unfortunately, these interesting and very beautiful birds are not often found in the animal world. Why has the osprey become a rare bird? Their numbers decreased especially dramatically by the beginning of the last century, due to the uncontrolled destruction of birds of prey. The widespread shooting was motivated by the fact that birds of prey cause damage to agriculture and hunting grounds. It was only in 1964 that the destruction of raptors was prohibited in Russia. However, the number of ospreys could not be restored. One of the reasons is the use of organochlorine pesticides, which were ingested by predators with fish.
Only in recent years the number of birds of this species has increased slightly. As before, the limiting factors are:
- Uncontrolled shooting.
- Destruction of nests.
- Declining fish stocks.
- Pollution of water bodies, reduction of their transparency. Of considerable importance is the ingress of heavy metal salts and plant protection products into water bodies, which have a detrimental effect on fish.
Osprey - Bird of the Year 2018
There is a good tradition in Russia: every year is celebrated under the sign of some protected bird. The osprey became such a favorite of 2018. A beautiful and strong predator is the embodiment of the greatness of nature. Choosing the Osprey as the 2018 Bird of the Year is a way to draw people's attention to this perfect creation of nature. The same applies to other rare inhabitants of our planet.
And below is a fascinating video about how the Osprey bird hunts - be sure to watch!
Did you like the article? Take it to your wall and support the project!
There is a small and very ancient city of Skopin in the Ryazan region, whose coat of arms and flag are decorated with a flying eagle. And this is not just an abstract silhouette of a bird of prey, but an accurate image of an osprey - one of the most interesting representatives of the hawk order.
In Ancient Rus', “ospreys” were the name given to smart, savvy, thrifty owners who deserve trust. This word was used to name a bird they admired, gave a name to the city, and even the Russian princes Skopin-Shuisky wanted to have this remarkable word in their surname.
What is so unusual about a bird that has gone down in history with such a significant name? Every ornithologist who has studied the life of an osprey will consider such a question an insult, because this bird is unique in everything: its structural features, habitat and nutrition.
A male osprey in flight over the nest.
What does an osprey look like?
Ospreys belong to the osprey family, which includes 1 genus with a single species. If you know what an osprey looks like, it is no longer possible to confuse the bird with other representatives of accipitridae.
Ospreys are large predators, growing up to 55-58 cm in length. Females are heavier than males, their body weight ranges from 1.6 to 2 kg, males usually weigh from 1.2 to 1.6 kg. The average wingspan of an osprey reaches 145-170 cm; in females this figure is 10% greater.
The wings and upper body of the osprey are dark brown, the head, neck, chest and belly are pure white. A characteristic feature of the color is a speckled necklace around the neck, clearly visible in the photo of the osprey, and a dark brown stripe on both sides of the head, running from the beak through the eye and down to the neck.
The osprey's beak is jet-black, its cere and limbs are lead-gray. Young ospreys acquire their adult coloration at one and a half years old, at which time their red eyes turn yellow. However, even until then they look almost like adults, but with a less bright necklace and some spotted plumage.
One of the distinctive features of the osprey is its wings, which are well curved at the carpal joint. But the main feature of the osprey is its long fingers with very strong, convex and strongly curved claws, perfectly adapted for hunting. The rear-facing outer finger serves as an excellent tool for holding slippery fish - the main source of food for the osprey.
Scientists distinguish 4 subspecies of osprey, representatives of which have common morphological characteristics, but differ in size and color depending on their habitat.
Osprey near a pond. 
Osprey, bird photo. 
Osprey, bird photo. 
Osprey in flight, bird photo. 
Osprey in flight, front view. 
Where do ospreys live?
Another amazing feature of predators is their vast range, covering both hemispheres, with the exception of Antarctica.
The inhabitants of the tropical and subtropical zones are the smallest and lead a sedentary lifestyle. Birds common in temperate latitudes are larger and darker in color; they spend the winter in hot countries and migrate back to their nesting sites in the spring.
Ospreys are distributed extremely unevenly throughout their range and it is not possible to accurately estimate the population size. Ospreys are not listed in the International Red Book and are considered a species of least concern. However, in Russia and Belarus, predators are rare, therefore they are listed in the Red Books, and in Finland, persons who kill an osprey are fined 1,692 euros.
Outside the mating season, ospreys lead a solitary lifestyle. These predators are non-confrontational and do not differ in territoriality. They always settle near bodies of water - lakes, rivers and reservoirs rich in fish - their main and practically only menu.
Feeding characteristics of osprey
Because of the osprey's predilection for fish, the bird is often called the fish eagle or river eagle. Moreover, they are not picky and readily eat any fish they can catch. About 1% of the osprey's diet consists of other species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and rodents. Ospreys that live in hot countries even hunt young alligators.
Predators extremely rarely attack from an ambush, preferring to hover above the surface of the water at a height of 10 to 40 m. Having noticed a potential victim, the osprey descends down in a characteristic pose with long wings laid back and strong paws protruded forward. It looks great in the photo of the osprey. The feathered predator quickly plunges its deadly claws into the water, leaving the fish no chance.
Osprey during an attack. 
An osprey after an unsuccessful attempt to catch a fish. 
The osprey caught the fish. 
Osprey with prey. 
Osprey with prey. 
A sharp, almost horizontal flap of the wings and the osprey soars in a halo of spray with its prey tightly clenched in its claws. Interestingly, to enhance aerodynamics, the predator turns the fish in flight head first. The strength of the osprey is amazing: some predators are able to lift fish weighing up to 2 kg from the water, which is almost identical to the bird’s own weight.
Among the hawks there are other fish lovers - eagles. However, their method of obtaining food is different: for example, the bald eagle grabs prey at the very surface of the water and never wets its feathers. The osprey dives freely under water thanks to the greasy structure of its feathers, which repels water well.
Special leathery valves that close the nostrils during diving help the bird not to choke. The predator looks amazing after a swim, shaking off the water like a wet dog. The osprey begins to eat its prey from the head; the remains are either thrown away or taken to the nest.
Osprey breeding
The mating season of these birds depends on their habitat. Residential populations breed from December to March, while migratory populations prepare to breed in April and May.
Males are the first to fly to nesting sites and, while waiting for females, perform intricate pirouettes in the sky, announcing their arrival and scaring away neighbors.
The female osprey plucked leaves from a nearby tree for her nest tray. 
Most ospreys are monogamous and mate for life. However, with a high nesting density, the male is able to feed and protect two females, although the first nest remains his priority.
Nesting sites are always located near water bodies, but in search of food for himself and the female, the male moves away from the nest to a distance of up to 14 km. An osprey nest is very close to its neighbor, at a distance of about 100 m, and sometimes the interval between nests is several km.
The nest can be built on a rocky cliff, in a fork in the branches of a dead tree, on an island in a lake, or even on an old buoy. Both parents search for building material, but it is mainly the female who builds the nest. She arranges twigs, holding them together with grass stems and seaweed, and also uses whatever can be found at the bottom of the pond, such as plastic bags and pieces of fishing line.
Sometimes a couple uses the nest from season to season, always completing and updating it. When the nest is ready, the responsibilities of the future parents are divided.
Breeding offspring
At intervals of 1-2 days, the female lays from 2 to 4 white eggs with brownish-red specks. Both parents incubate the clutch for about 40 days, but even when the female remains in the nest, the caring husband brings part of his prey to the nest. And if he has two nests in his care, he manages to feed both females.
The chicks are born in the same order that the eggs were laid. Newborns are covered with light white fluff and for the first 10 days of life the female warms them and protects them from bad weather, while the male brings food. To feed the female and offspring, he needs to catch at least 3-10 fish weighing about 100 g each. The prey is carefully cut into pieces and fed to the chicks. If there is a hungry year and there is not enough food, the chicks that hatch first survive.
In migrating populations, by the time of migration, young ospreys are fully ready to cover a distance of up to 500 km and fly to their wintering grounds separately from their parents. It is very unusual that immature ospreys do not return home for another year, but remain in winter quarters until reproductive age, which occurs at 2-3 years.
Natural enemies and life expectancy of osprey
Even such large feathered predators have natural enemies. Throughout its range, the skola can become a victim of owls and its relatives, eagles. In the United States, the osprey is attacked by the great eagle owl and the bald eagle. Wintering birds are often attacked by crocodiles while foraging for food.
Ospreys desperately defend their nests, but if left unattended they risk losing their offspring due to the main destroyers - snakes and raccoons.
Mortality among adult birds is extremely low, but 40% of young ospreys do not survive to 2 years of age. Under favorable circumstances, ospreys live quite a long time: the oldest banded female lived for 30 years.
Origin of the species and description
The species was described by Linnaeus in 1758. The generic name Pandion is given in honor of the mythological Athenian king Pandion I, who was transformed into this bird by the divine will of Zeus. Although there is a version that Pandion II was meant and his son turned into a bird. The specific epithet "haliaetus" is composed of the Greek words meaning "sea" and "eagle". The origin of the Russian name is not clear.
Video: Osprey
The most ancient fossil remains of representatives of the family. Skopins were found in and in and date back to the early Oligocene (about 30 million years ago). Fossils that can definitely be attributed to the genus Osprey have been found in later Miocene-Pleistocene deposits in the south. The closest relatives of the osprey are united in the order.
Populations of modern osprey in different geographical regions have distinct features, which allows us to distinguish 4 subspecies:
- the type subspecies, living in, is the largest, with a dark color. Migrates;
- The Carolina subspecies is common in North America. In general, it looks like a typical one. Migrates;
- Ridgway's subspecies is found in the Caribbean. It is distinguished by a light head (in the sense of coloring, not intelligence). Lives sedentary;
- the crested subspecies inhabits the Indonesian archipelago. The individuals are small, with characteristic feathers raised on the back of the head - crests.
The last subspecies is often distinguished by morphologists as an independent species: the combed or eastern osprey (Pandion cristatus). Although researchers who prefer molecular genetic methods of classification believe that all subspecies equally deserve species status.
Appearance and features
Sexual dimorphism is not very distinct. Females are somewhat larger and heavier than males, their weight can reach 2 kg, while males weigh 1.2 - 1.6 kg. An adult bird reaches 55–58 cm in length. The wingspan is absolutely incredible - human height (up to 170 cm)! The flight feathers of the first order in gliding flight look like splayed fingers.
The head has a typical beak of a predator - a hook and a short crest on the back of the head, which the osprey can raise. Osprey paws are fishing equipment. They are surprisingly long and armed with sickle-shaped claws, the fingers on the inside are covered with spikes, and the outer one clearly protrudes back. The valves protect the nasal openings from water entry.
The color is contrasting, in white and brownish colors. The crown, the entire underside of the body, the feathery “pants” of powerful paws and the coverts on the underside of the wings are painted white. The back of the neck, back and top of the wings are brown. A brown stripe, like a robber's bandage, crosses the predator's eye from beak to neck. Spots of the same color are found on the wrist folds, on the chest they form a motley “necklace”, and on the tail and underside of the second and third order flight feathers there are stripes. The skin of the legs is gray, the beak is black and the eye is yellow.
Females wear bright, well-defined “necklaces” and are generally darker. Young ospreys up to 18 months are distinguished by faded “necklaces”, a scaly pattern on the back and along the top of the wings, and orange-red eyes. Chicks - down jackets after birth are whitish with dark brownish spots, later they are brown striped and speckled.
Where does the osprey live?
The range of the osprey with all subspecies covers the temperate, subtropical and tropical climate zones of Eurasia, both, as well as Australia and Oceania. The birds are distributed unevenly throughout their range; they are found quite rarely and scattered. Desert and high mountain areas are avoided.
It is possible to identify areas of the range where:
- migratory birds nest;
- resident ospreys live;
- migratory birds are encountered during seasonal migrations;
- migrants from the north spend the winter.
On Russian territory, the northern border of the range approximately coincides with 67° N latitude. in the European part, then passes along latitude 66° in the Ob basin, to the east it moves even further south: to the mouth of the river. Lower Tunguska, lower reaches of Vilyuy, lower reaches of Aldan. It runs along the Okhotsk coast north of Magadan to the southern border in the European part in the lower reaches of the Don and the Volga delta. In and on the osprey can be found right up to the southern border of the country.
As a place of residence, the predator often chooses banks surrounded by old trees (pines) with dried tops. Loves sparse and extensive swamps with clean, shallow water, with riffles and reaches. Does not shy away from coasts and islands. Nesting sites are mainly limited to the forest zone, although birds can also settle outside it - in the floodplain forests of the steppes. On migration they can be found in open steppe areas. In southern treeless areas, sedentary ospreys build nests on the cliffs of sea coasts, on coastal islands and even in small coastal towns.
Now you know where the osprey fisherman lives. Let's see what he eats.
What does an osprey eat?
The osprey's diet consists of 99% fish. Since this predator grabs prey on the fly, its victims are any species that have the habit of rising to the surface of the water.
As an exception, they catch other animals of suitable weight, swimming and non-swimming:
- water snakes;
- amphibians of suitable size;
- small;
- birds;
- rabbits;
- voles;
During the hunt, the osprey flies slowly over the water at an altitude of 10 to 40 m. Having discovered the target, the bird hovers for a moment, then rushes forward, holding its claws outstretched in front of its beak. It can dive to a depth of up to 1 m (according to other sources, up to 2), but more often it simply plows the surface of the water with its claws. Having picked up prey, the osprey carries it away, holding it with both paws, to eat in a quiet environment or feed a partner on the nest.
Features of character and lifestyle
In southern regions with warm winters and ice-free reservoirs, ospreys live sedentary lives, and where winter fishing is not possible, they become migratory birds. They fly from North America to South America, from Europe to Africa, from northern Asia to south and southeast Asia. They leave for the south from September to October, returning in April – May.
Free from family concerns, they can also wander, making flights for food lasting several hours. Usually they do not fly further than 10-14 km from their place of residence. The "language" of the osprey is quite poor. Basically, these are a series of gentle, sonorous screams, varying in tone and duration.
Interesting fact: These predators prefer fish weighing 150-300 g, the record weight of prey is 1200 g. The length of the fish is 7 - 57 cm. In order to eat, the bird needs 300 - 400 g of food per day, according to other sources, up to 800 g is needed.
The mortality rate of young birds under 2 years of age is high - an average of 40%. The main reason for the death of young animals is lack of food. But ospreys can live for a long time - 20 - 25 years. In 2011, a longevity record was recorded - 30 years, in 2014 - 32 years... Perhaps this is not the limit.
Social structure and reproduction
In different parts of the vast range, the mating season begins at different times. Residential birds begin building nests in December-March, migratory birds - in April-May. Ospreys each fly to their nesting sites on their own, although they are monogamous and maintain permanent pairs for many years. Males arrive first, females arrive a few days later.
In the forest zone, ospreys make nests on the dry tops of large trees, on the supports of high-voltage lines, towers for various purposes, and artificial platforms that are offered to them by conservationists. When choosing a place, ensure the proximity of a good body of water, so that it is no further than 3-5 km. Sometimes they build nests above the water.
The distance between nests ranges from 100 m to several kilometers. Typically, each family settles away from the others, but colonies form near especially fishy bodies of water. The nest is made of twigs, the finishing is done with algae or grass, moss - whatever you can find. Sometimes there is fishing line or plastic bags. The nests serve one permanent pair for many years, each season they are renewed and completed.
Before marriage, the male displays, flying in circles over the nest where the female sits. Emits a series of screams, flies up, flutters its wings and holds a gift fish in its paw. About 10 minutes later, deciding that he has tried hard enough, he flies to his lady’s nest. When the wife begins to incubate the eggs, the male brings her food and can take part in the incubation. Adultery occurs when the male does not bring enough food and the hungry female is forced to turn to others. Or the male begins to work for two families if the nests are located nearby.
There are from 2 to 4 eggs, the color is white with brown speckles. The chicks are born after 38–41 days. If there is a lack of food, not all chicks survive, but only those that hatched first. The female warms them constantly for two weeks, then less often, devoting time to getting food. The young fledge after 1.5 - 2.5 months and can hunt independently, although they still try to beg food from their parents for a long time. Each one flies to the winter on his own. Ospreys become sexually mature by the age of 3-5 years and spend their youth “abroad” - in wintering areas.
Interesting fact: In Australia, nests have been recorded that have been in use for 70 years. They are located on coastal rocks and are huge piles of driftwood and branches entwined with algae, reaching 2 m in height, 2 m in width and weighing 135 kg.
Natural enemies of osprey
Even such a large predator has enemies. These are even larger predators that displace the osprey, competing with it for food and places to build nests. And those that operate under the cover of darkness are owls and eagle owls, which prefer to carry off their chicks.
Among the terrestrial animals that destroy nests we can name:
- small climbing predators;
- crocodile He catches an osprey in the water as it dives.
Naturally, the man also became one of the enemies, although not on purpose. It turned out that ospreys are very sensitive to pesticides, especially DDT and its derivatives, which were previously held in high esteem. These chemicals entered their bodies through fish and caused thinning of the egg shells and the death of the embryos, and ultimately a decrease in the birth rate. Adult birds also died. Between the 50s and 70s of the last century, the number of breeding pairs on the Atlantic coast decreased by 90%, and on the Chesapeake Bay there were half as many. In a number of countries (in the Pyrenees, in, ) ospreys have completely disappeared.
The number of ospreys is also negatively affected by intensive land development: deforestation, fishing, and pollution of water bodies. Hunters make their contribution, those who like to destroy nests and simply show morbid curiosity.
Interesting fact: Osprey populations in Ireland disappeared by the beginning of the 19th century, in England they disappeared in 1840, in Scotland in 1916. The reason for the destruction was mass interest in collecting eggs and stuffed animals. The stupid hobby passed, and migrating ospreys began to populate the islands again. In 1954 they again nested in Scotland.
Population and species status
The osprey is classified as a species of increasing abundance in the latest IUCN Red List. The size of the global population is estimated at 100 - 500 thousand individuals. Indeed, conservation measures (ban on the use of long-lasting pesticides and the shooting of birds of prey) have led to a noticeable increase in the number of birds on all continents. In Europe, where the situation was most dire, the surviving populations in and Germany increased. The birds returned to England, Bavaria, and France. According to foreign data for 2011 - 2014. in Great Britain there were 250–300 residential nests, in Sweden
Osprey protection
According to international conservation experts, this species has good prospects for survival and its future is not a cause for concern. But don't let your guard down. The osprey remains protected in Europe, North America and Australia, where all its populations are counted and monitored. Programs have been developed to reintroduce birds to places where they were once destroyed (for example, in Spain).
It is included in the CITES list prohibiting international trade of this species, annexes of the Bonn and Berne conventions. There are international agreements on the protection of migratory birds, which Russia has concluded with the USA, Japan,. Osprey is recorded in the Red Book of Russia and domestic regional books of all regions where it lives.
The proposed security measures are simple:
- habitat conservation;
- installation of platforms for nests;
- moving nests from power line supports where they create short circuits;
- creating “quiet zones” around nests within a radius of 200-300 m;
- cleaning of water bodies;
- increase in fish stocks.
To date osprey is safe, nothing threatens it, and in some places its numbers are growing steadily. This gives us hope that the ancient and majestic predator will remain with us for a long time. The realization that we are not alone on the planet is slowly but surely reaching every person. And the results of the actions taken confirm that there is always an opportunity to change the situation with the extinction of a species for the better. Almost always.
Description of Osprey
Pandion haliaetus (osprey) is a diurnal predator, solely representing the order Osprey (Pandion Savigny) and the Osprey family (Pandionidae). In turn, the family is included in the extensive order Accipitridae.
Appearance
A large bird with a characteristic coloring - a white head with a black stripe running from the beak through the eye to the back of the head, a blackish-gray top and a white chest with a dark speckled necklace crossing it across it. A small crest is visible on the back of the head, and the osprey itself always looks disheveled.
There may be variations in coloration depending on the specific subspecies and its location, but all ospreys have long and wide wings with a specific bend at the carpal joint. Due to the bow-shaped wings, whose ends are directed downwards, the soaring osprey becomes like a seagull, and the wings themselves seem less wide.
The short, straight-truncated tail spreads like a fan in flight, revealing (when viewed from below) a series of dark transverse lines on a light background. The osprey has yellow eyes and a black hook-shaped beak. The tarsus, covered with small polygonal shields, is devoid of feathers. Permanent coloring appears in ospreys at about one and a half years of age.
Juveniles would be indistinguishable from adults if not for the orange-red iris, paler necklace, and light brown spotting on the outside of the tail and wings.
Ornithologists talk about several features that make it easier for ospreys to fish - greasy, water-resistant feathers; nasal valves that close when diving; powerful long paws with curved claws.
Bird sizes
This is a fairly large predator, gaining up to 1.6–2 kg of mass with a length of 55–58 cm and a wingspan of up to 1.45–1.7 m. In addition, the size of the osprey, as well as the nuances of its coloring, depend on the subspecies inhabiting in a certain region.
Ornithologists distinguish 4 subspecies of osprey:
- Pandion haliaetus haliaetus is the largest and darkest subspecies inhabiting Eurasia;
- Pandion haliaetus ridgwayi – similar in size to P. h. haliaetus, but has a lighter head. A sedentary subspecies living on the islands of the Caribbean;
- Pandion haliaetus carolinensis is a dark and large subspecies found in North America;
- Pandion haliaetus cristatus is the smallest subspecies, whose representatives settled in the coastal marine zone, as well as along the banks of large rivers in Australia and Tasmania.
In general, it is clear that ospreys living in higher latitudes are larger than their relatives born in the tropics and subtropics.
Lifestyle
Osprey is classified as ichthyophagous, and therefore cannot imagine its life without a lake, river, swamp or reservoir. The nearest body of water is located within the boundaries of the osprey’s hunting area and is 0.01–10 km from its nest. The nesting density varies - two neighboring nests can be separated by hundreds of meters or many kilometers.
Osprey will never give up the opportunity to control several small bodies of water or different sections of a large river/reservoir at once (based on the direction of the wind during the hunt). To provide such control, the osprey builds a nest in a river bend or on a mane in the middle of a swamp.
Most ospreys adhere to personal feeding territories and therefore rarely form colonies. Grouping occurs more often on islands, as well as along transmission lines, that is, where there is plenty of space for cluster nesting.
Ospreys often resort to collective hunting, which is more effective than solo hunting. Birds rest in trees, observing their innate caution. They sit in a column on branches, steep coastal rocks, flat or steep banks. The osprey makes sounds like “kay-kay-kay”, changing to higher “ki-ki-ki” sounds near the nest.
When an osprey looks for prey in a river, it usually shakes - it stops and hovers over the water surface, quickly flapping its wings. Ospreys protect their nests, but do not defend individual territories, since their favorite food (all kinds of fish) is mobile and can be located at different distances from the nest.
Southern representatives of the species are more inclined to settle down, while northern ospreys are predominantly migratory.
Lifespan
Ospreys live a long time, at least 20–25 years, and the older the bird becomes, the higher its chances for a long life. Different populations have their own survival statistics, but in general the picture is as follows – 60% of young birds up to 2 years old and 80–90% of adult birds survive.
Fact. Ornithologists managed to track the ringed female, who holds the record for longevity in Europe. In 2011 she turned 30 years old.
In North America, the oldest osprey was recognized as a male who lived to be 25 years old. He was survived by more than a year by a male living in Finland, who was 26 years and 25 days old at the time of death. But it should be understood that most ospreys in the wild rarely live to this age.
Sexual dimorphism
Differences between the sexes in color are noticeable only with careful observation - females are always darker and have a brighter speckled necklace. In addition, females are 20% heavier than males: the former weigh on average 1.6–2 kg, the latter – from 1.2 kg to 1.6 kg. Also, female ospreys exhibit a larger (5–10%) wingspan.
Range, habitat
The osprey inhabits both hemispheres, on the continents of which it breeds or winters. It is not yet clear whether representatives of the species breed in Indo-Malaysia and South America, but birds are constantly seen there in winter. Also in winter, ospreys regularly nest in Egypt and on parts of the Red Sea islands.
Ospreys choose safe corners for nesting, not far from shallow, fish-rich areas. Nests are built 3–5 km from bodies of water (reservoirs, lakes, swamps or rivers), but sometimes right above the water.
In Russia, ospreys prefer long, cold lakes, as well as river rifts/reaches, where tall trees (with dried tops) grow, suitable for nesting. Birds are very wary of people, but they allow them quite close in Australia and America, building nests even in transformer substations.
Osprey diet
It consists of more than 99% of a variety of fish, since the osprey is not picky and grabs everything that moves closer to the surface of the water. True, when the fish assortment is extensive, the osprey chooses 2–3 of the most delicious (in its opinion) species. Ospreys often hunt in flight (occasionally from ambush): they hover over the surface of the water, rising no higher than 10–40 m. With this method of hunting, water transparency is important for ospreys, since it is very difficult to see prey in a muddy body of water.
Hunting
An osprey effectively rushes after a fish from a height - having noticed it from a low-level flight, the bird half-folds its wings and stretches its paws forward, rapidly falling onto the prey in a vertical peak or at an angle of 45 degrees. Often it goes under the water entirely, but immediately flies up, carrying the trophy (usually pointing head first) in the claws of one or both paws.
Interesting. Long claws, whose bottom fingers are studded with sharp tubercles, as well as a backward-facing front finger (for securely capturing prey) help to hold a slippery fish.
To take off from the water surface, the osprey uses a powerful, almost horizontal wing stroke. In the air, it habitually shakes itself off and flies to a tree or cliff to leisurely have lunch. Having completed the meal, he returns to the river to wash off the fish scales and mucus, dipping his feet and head into the water.
Production
An adult osprey weighing 2 kg is not afraid to fish for prey equal to or even greater in weight, pulling out three- and even four-kilogram fish. True, this is more an exception than a rule - much more often she carries around one hundred or two hundred gram fish.
It happens that an osprey does not calculate its strength and digs its claws into an unbearable prey weighing 4 or more kg. If the bird does not have time to release its claws, the heavy fish drags it to the bottom. Fishermen periodically catch large pike and carp with a creepy “decoration” on their back - the skeleton of a dead osprey. There is also a photograph of one such find, which shows a large carp (caught in Saxony) with a dead osprey sitting on its ridge.
Details
The bird eats the fish starting from the head. If the male is feeding the female at this time, he eats part of the catch, taking the other part to the nest. In general, ospreys are not accustomed to hiding what they have caught: they carry it, throw it away, or leave the remains in the nest.
It is known that ospreys disdain carrion and hardly drink water, satisfying their daily need for moisture with fresh fish.
Ornithologists also calculated the percentage of successful dives (24–74%), noting that the indicator is influenced by weather, tides and the abilities of the osprey itself. One percent of the bird of prey menu is occupied by frogs, water voles, muskrats, squirrels, salamanders, snakes, small birds and even tiny crocodiles.
Reproduction and offspring
From wintering grounds, ospreys usually fly to the opening of reservoirs one by one, although the males do this a little earlier. Couples try to return to their native nests, restoring them in the spring as necessary.
Nesting
You can often see a male performing aerial pirouettes above the nest - these are elements of a mating ritual and at the same time an attempt to scare away rivals.
Ospreys are generally monogamous, but exhibit polygamy when nests are in close proximity and the male can defend both. The first nest in this case is of greater importance for the male, since he first takes the fish there.
Ospreys living in Russia mainly nest on tall coniferous trees that grow on the edge of a forest, on the banks of a river/lake, or stand alone on the edges. Such a tree rises 1–10 m above the forest canopy and must support a massive nest of branches designed to last for several years.
A little less often, a nest appears on power line supports, artificial platforms and even buildings. Ground-nesting ospreys are not uncommon in Australia. The nest is made from branches, entwined with seaweed or grass, often using unconventional building materials - plastic bags, fishing line and other objects found in the water. The inside of the nest is lined with moss and grass.
Chicks
The female lays a couple of light-colored eggs (densely marked with purple, brown or gray spots), which are incubated by both parents. After 35–38 days, the chicks hatch, and the father is responsible for feeding the family, not only the brood, but also the female. The mother guards the chicks and waits for food from her partner, and when she doesn’t receive it, she begs from nearby males.
Interesting. A caring father daily drags from 3 to 10 fish, 60–100 g each, into the nest. Both parents can tear the flesh into pieces and give them to the chicks.
No sooner than 10 days later, the chicks change their white downy outfit to dark gray, and acquire their first feathers after another couple of weeks. The brood completely fledges in 48–76 days: in migrating populations the process of fledge is accelerated.
By the second month of their life, the chicks reach 70–80% of the size of adult birds, and having fledged, they make their first attempts to hunt on their own. Already able to catch fish, the chicks do not hesitate to return to the nest and demand food from their parents. The family's total summer catch is approximately 120–150 kg.
A brood of osprey sits in the nest for almost 2 months, but unlike the offspring of other birds of prey, when threatened, it does not show aggression, but, on the contrary, tries to hide. Parents often leave the nest so as not to expose the growing young. Reproductive function in young ospreys appears no earlier than 3 years.
Skopina families. Many scientists are confident that she is the best fisherman among birds, as she is able to catch fish even in rivers with very fast currents. Alas, today the life of this inhabitant of heaven can hardly be called carefree, because due to the fault of man he was on the verge of extinction. But let's talk about everything in order.
Area
So, first, let’s figure out where the eunuchs live. Photos of these birds taken in different parts of the planet indicate that these birds have settled on almost all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. However, depending on the season, they can migrate from one region to another, thereby avoiding the cold of winter.
Therefore, in Russia they can only be found in summer or late spring. The same applies to Iceland, Scandinavia and some states of North America. Moreover, with the arrival of cold weather, these birds fly away to warmer climes. For example, to the southern part of China, East Asia, Africa, Indonesia or Malaysia.
Skopets is a fairly large bird. On average, it grows to 50-60 cm in length, while its wingspan can reach 140-160 cm. It is noteworthy that females are always larger than their gentleman. This difference can be seen even with the naked eye, because their weight is too different.
All eunuchs wear brown or black plumage, which varies only slightly in shade depending on where they live. But the lower part (chest and belly) of the bird is white or light gray. Around the eyes there is a black edging of feathers, which smoothly turns into two parallel stripes going to her shoulders. Thanks to them, one gets the impression that the feathered predator is wearing a dark mask, hiding its true appearance.
Eunuch's diet
Skopets is a bird whose menu mostly consists of “fish dishes”. According to scientists, fish makes up more than 90% of everything eaten by the predator. That is why in the world of feathered creatures this species is considered one of the best hunter-divers. In addition, fresh fish serves as an excellent source of moisture for the predator, and therefore it rarely drinks plain water.
However, this does not mean that the eunuch does not hunt other game. If the weather or terrain does not allow fishing, the bird easily switches to other targets. For example, rodents, reptiles, insects and even other birds can become dinner for a predator. Moreover, there is evidence that eunuchs hunted animals that could become formidable opponents in their own right.
Features of behavior
Considering the diet of this predator, it is not surprising that the eunuch is a bird that is accustomed to settling near large bodies of water. Here she feels more than comfortable, because at any moment she can go hunting. At the same time, the osprey prefers to lead a solitary lifestyle, only occasionally forming strong tandems. Because of this, it is possible to see pairs of birds “in love” only during the mating period.
In hunting his favorite game, the eunuch is greatly helped by his excellent eyesight. Thanks to him, the bird is able to notice the fish while high in the sky. For example, an experienced predator can spot a carp swimming underwater from a distance of 40 meters. In addition, he ignores the distortion that water gives to an object due to the refraction of light on its surface.
After the eunuch selects its victim, it quickly parries downwards. It enters the water with its paws forward, using them like a harpoon. Often the fish does not have time to react in time and ends up in the sharp claws of a predator. And she will no longer be able to get out of them, since the eunuch grabs its prey from both sides, as if squeezing it in a vice.
Reproduction and mating games of birds
Skopets is a very amazing bird. Accustomed to living alone, she is still very sensitive to family ties. Having found its soul mate, the osprey forms a monogamous pair, which remains indestructible throughout the bird's life. And only the death of one of the partners can change this.
As for the mating season, for migratory birds it begins in April-May, and for sedentary birds - in February-March. At the same time, the males are the first to fly to the nest, thereby showing the ladies that they have not forgotten about them. If the gentleman does not yet have an established pair, then he begins to look for available females, flirting with them.
It takes about 4-5 weeks to hatch the eggs. All this time, the male takes care of his family, bringing food to the nest and protecting it from enemies. And only two months later, when the chicks learn to fly, he leaves his home.
Skopets: significance for the ecosystem and humans
Despite the fact that the eunuch eats a lot of fish, it does not cause significant damage to fisheries. But the bird itself suffers greatly from human action. The use of pesticides and herbicides has a detrimental effect on the predator population. For example, in some agricultural regions it stopped settling altogether.
Therefore, today many environmental organizations have taken the eunuch under their care. In particular, on the territory of the Russian Federation the bird is protected by the Red Book. This species is also protected by a resolution adopted by the Convention on International Trade.
