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Location: Lake Murray, La Mesa, CA
Date: 2004-02-27
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
Date: 2004-02-27
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
DescriptionOsprey's are fishing birds and can be seen hovering above the water searching for prey. When a fish is spotted, the Osprey dives down and grabs using its talons. The fish is then flown (head first) to a perch, where it is devoured. Osprey populations declined in the 1950's & 60's due to pesticides. But they have slowly made a comeback. Their dark eyestripe makes them look like a masked bandit.
Dark brown wings, nape, and eyestripe. White chin, throat, breast, belly, undertail coverts, and legs. Yellowish eyes and a curved black bill. 21 to 24 inches in length.
Lakes, rivers, and coastal shores.
Nesting2-4 white, pink, or buff eggs with brown blotches and a 32-43 day incubation period. Fledging occurs 48-59 days after hatching. The nest is a bulky mass of sticks placed in a tree, on a telephone pole, or on the ground.
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