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The photos in this album were taken in Clearwater, Dunedin,
Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, Florida.


Some quick facts about Ospreys:

• Ospreys resemble bald eagles, but Ospreys are smaller.
• Ospreys have white bellies. Eagles do not.
• Ospreys have dark bills. Eagles have massive yellow bills and yellow feet.
• Ospreys mainly eat fish. They hover, then dive feet-first into the water to catch them.
• Ospreys are also called Fish Hawks.
• Eagles sometimes steal fish from Ospreys. Ospreys can be mortally wounded in the process.
• Ospreys usually eat their catch in a high spot with good visibility all around - for example, on a branch in a tall dead tree.
• It is not wise to stand below and behind the tail end of an Osprey. It gets messy.
• Ospreys return to the same nest year after year, reinforcing the nest each time.
• Ospreys sometimes build their nests on man-made platforms, on lights above stadiums, on top of signs, or in other high places.
• If the Osprey nest is in a tree, it will usually be a deep nest, so you might not see the young until they are quite large.
• Ospreys usually have 2 to 4 young in the spring, and the eggs are laid a couple of days apart.
• The male and female Osprey take turns sitting on the eggs.
• The adult Ospreys use their bodies and their wings to shield their young from the hot sun and harsh weather.
• Ospreys feed and train their young for months.
• Both adults care for the young Ospreys.
• When they feel the time is right, the parents withhold food and call to the young from nearby to encourage the young to fly.
• Adult Ospreys have yellow eyes. Young Ospreys have red eyes.
• Immature Ospreys have white edging on their dark plumage which creates a scalloped effect on their backs.
• Adult male Ospreys and young Ospreys have plain white chests.
• Adult female Ospreys have a brown pattern on their chests. It is often called a "necklace."
• Adult female Ospreys are usually bigger than the adult males.
• Ospreys are very protective of their young. They often swoop at perceived threats, including people and cars.

 All photos on this website by J.A. Heintz
All written material by D.C. Heintz

Copyright 2010 D.C. Heintz. All rights reserved.


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