Osprey Bird Characteristics

sharp talons = snagging a meal swimming in the water below short, hooked beaks = watching the surface carefully for any telltale signs of fish long, sharp wings = enabling ospreys to fold their wings to their sides and begin a steep dive white feathers on ospreys' heads = looking like little caps

wings that taper to rounded tips = enabling ospreys to fly fast and dive at amazing speeds sharp eyes = watching the surface carefully for any telltale signs of fish feet = plunging completely underwater to catch their food distinctive plumage = enabling ospreys to soar one hundred feet above the water

soaring one hundred feet above the water = watching the surface carefully for any telltale signs of fish hovering over the water = plunging completely underwater to catch their food dive at amazing speeds = flying fast and catching prey folding their wings to their sides = beginning a steep dive

length = two feet wingspan = six feet lifespan = 18 years diving speed = blazing speeds

heads = white wings = a mixture of white and dark brown chests, bellies, and chins = white tails = marked with several white bands

ospreys are related to = eagles, hawks, and even vultures the oldest known osprey = lived to be 25 years old ospreys in flight = easy to identify, thanks to their distinctive plumage ospreys can live = a long time

Reversible front toe = Helps ospreys hold on to their catch Sharp claws = Used for grasping fish underwater Beautiful coloring = A distinctive feature of osprey appearance Threatening size = Used to intimidate predators and competitors

Islands and bays = Chesapeake Bay between Virginia and Maryland Trees and rock cliffs = Alaska and Canada Coastal communities = Caribbean and Central and South America Nesting platforms = Northwestern United States

Shaking water from feathers = To remove excess water after diving Repairing nests = To prepare for laying eggs Building nests on high locations = To protect from predators Calling cheereek, cheereek = To warn other ospreys of threats

Eggs = Take approximately five weeks to hatch Chicks = Weigh about two ounces at birth Nestlings = Grow enough to take their first flight in less than two months Adults = Reach speeds of up to three feet underwater

Osprey nests = Are built on top of electric power poles and towers Channel markers and buoys = Are used as alternative nesting sites Nesting platforms = Are built by cities to prevent power failures Tree and cliff nests = Are used by ospreys in certain regions

Summer = Alaska, Canada, and northwestern United States Colder months = Caribbean and Central and South America Breeding season = Chesapeake Bay between Virginia and Maryland Winter = Islands and bays around the world