Osprey, << OS pree >> also called fish hawk, is a fish-eating bird. Ospreys feed by making spectacular plunges into water from heights of 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 meters). They hit the water feet first with a great splash and seize a fish with their long, slender claws. These birds live throughout the world along rivers, lakes, seacoasts, and bays. Ospreys in northern regions migrate to warm areas for the winter.
The osprey is about 2 feet (60 centimeters) long, with a wingspread of nearly 6 feet (1.8 meters). It is dark brown above and has some white on its head. It is white below with a few streaks of dark brown.
Ospreys nest in trees, jagged rocks, or low bushes, or on the ground. Ospreys build the largest nests of any North American birds. Some measure up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) high. Nest-building materials include seaweed, sticks, bones, or driftwood. In North America, during April or May, ospreys usually lay three eggs. Incubation of the eggs lasts about 37 days.
Insecticides, such as DDT, and human disturbance of the bird’s habitat reduced the number of ospreys in several locations. However, conservation measures on the United States mainland helped to increase the osprey population.
