National Park Service Klamath Network Featured Creature U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship & Science Klamath Network Osprey October 2018 Pandion haliaetus Field Notes In North America, northern populations of artificial nest platforms, as well as cell, ospreys migrate to Mexico and farther radio, and utility line towers for nesting—a south in the winter. Adults migrate singly, key factor in their recovery. apart from their mates, and then reunite on Male ospreys bring nest materials (sticks for spring breeding grounds. The Pacific the structure, and grass, moss, algae and Northwest has both migratory and similar type material for cushioning and wintering populations of osprey. Migratory insulating eggs) for the female (mostly) to ospreys in Oregon head south in late arrange. The female lays 1 to 4 creamy August/mid-September and return in pinkish white eggs with heavy red-brown March–April to breed. Migratory juveniles spotting, which stay south for their first 18 months of life hatch Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) in North Cascades before returning north to breed at age 3. National Park. NPS photo asynchronously Behavior and Feeding after 38 days. General Description Ospreys are uniquely adapted to catching Nestlings fledge 7 Cal Singletary Once alarmingly rare in the 1950–1970s era live fish, which comprise 99% of their diet. to 9 weeks later. NPS/ of DDT use, ospreys are on the rebound. Diving for a fish, the osprey plunges feet Conservation These large, long-winged raptors are first into the water—up to a meter deep. Before its ban in 1972, DDT and its commonly seen nowadays flapping, circling, Sharp spines (spicules) on its feet and an derivative, DDE, caused osprey, peregrine or hovering over water in search of their outer toe that can angle backwards (unlike falcon, bald eagle, and other bird main meal: fish. Ospreys weigh (2.5–4.5 lbs; other hawks) help it grasp the fish. populations to crash from eggshell thinning 1–2 kg) and have longer wingspans (150– Underwater, specialized nasal valves close, and other effects. Ospreys have since 180 cm; 5–6 ft) than other hawks, though as does its third eyelid, the semitransparent steadily recovered. Today they are valuable not as long as eagles. nictitating membrane. Uniquely powerful indicators of ecosystem health for many wing beats lift it out of the water with its Sometimes mistaken for a seagull or bald reasons: they are top predators in aquatic wet load. A coat of dense oil on its feathers eagle, the osprey is largely white food webs, nesting pairs are easy to find repels water while underneath except for black patches on its and tolerant of short-term human immersed. wrists, a black eye line, and dark-striped disturbance, and they have known Ospreys carry fish flight feathers. A brownish “necklace” is sensitivity to several contaminants. sometimes visible. Its back is dark brown. headfirst— In flight, a distinct bend at the wrist forms streamlined—to Morffew Where to See the nest. Andy an “M” shape against the sky. Ospreys breed in Lassen Volcanic NP, Redwood NSP, Whiskeytown NRA, and Ospreys are in the order, Accipitriformes, The osprey’s loud, shrill whistles and chirps may be seen migrating through the with hawks, eagles, and vultures, but occur serve a variety of purposes, including remaining Klamath Network parks. in their own family, Pandionidae. courtship, alarm, and female breeding solicitation. Listen for this telltale sign of “Haliaetus” comes from the Greek “halos,” More Information breeding ospreys during the summer. meaning “sea,” and “aetos” for “eagle.” https://www.audubon.org/field- Habitat, Distribution, and Breeding guide/bird/osprey Ospreys generally nest within 1–2 km of Migration https://sandpointmagazine.com/story/ospre water, though it can be farther. They build Like the peregrine falcon, ospreys occur ys-birds-of-myth-and-fortune/ globally. They are found at lakes, rivers, and their large, bulky stick nests on treetops, estuaries around the world wherever promontories, rocky cliffs, or increasingly, Video of osprey catching fish: shallow water brings fish within striking on artificial structures. Remarkably tolerant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA3LtX distance. to human activity, ospreys readily use nNIto EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM Prepared by Sonya Daw October 31, 2018 .