Birds and Birding's Guide to:

Watching THE FALCON-LIKE BIRDS

THE KITES, BUZZARDS, EAGLES, HAWKS, AND ALLIES

Osprey Habitat

Along the coasts they take shad, alewives, menhaden, and mullets, while in inland waters suckers, catfish, salmon, trout, and white perch form perhaps the chief items of diet. Their manner of fishing is rather peculiar, and quite different from that pursued by other fish-catching birds of prey, or even of fish-catching birds in general. One may be seen winging its way slowly over the water, keeping a keen watch for any fish that may be near the surface.”

When one is observed,”says Mr. Frank M. Chapman,”it pauses, hovers a moment, and then, closing its wings, descends with a speed and directness of aim that generally insure success. It strikes the water with great force, making a loud splash, and frequently disappears for a moment before rising with its prey grasped in its powerful talons.”The manner of descent has been further described by Mr. Paul Bartsch, who says: “

The Osprey shifts its center of gravity when it passes above the water as does the Kingfisher, whose body changes almost to a vertical from the horizontal position as he prepares for a plunge. Neither does the Osprey dive head first as does the Kingfisher; but he plunges into the water with wings extended widely upward, clutching his prey with his powerful outstretched talons.”

It has been known to strike the water with such force as to break a wing, and quite a number of cases are on record of their striking a fish too large for them to handle, and being unable to loosen their claws, have been drawn under and drowned. Curiously enough they always carry their prey head first, and if captured in another position they are said to turn it around in mid-air. As soon as they secure a fish they start for the land, and if not robbed of it by a watchful Eagle, resort to a particular spot, where it is devoured at leisure. Wherever food is perennially abundant the Fish-Hawks often occur in colonies of several hundred, but in other localities less favored only one or two pairs are found. I have seen a dozen nests within a short distance along the Yellowstone Lake, the birds apparently feeding on the trout so abundant there.

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