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| FEATURED LONG ISLAND BIRDS: by Karen Thanks to Ian & Jimmy for the photos! Ian Cale (click for Ian's site) James Galletto (click for Jimmy's site) |
| THE OSPREY ! |
| The Osprey is a large raptor with a 5-foot wingspan and a body length of 2 feet. It is our largest raptor next to the Eagle. Osprey numbers were decreasing rapidly due to the use of DDT and the bird was placed on the endangered list. After the banning of DDT in the 1970's, and with the construction of man-made platforms for nesting, Osprey numbers have increased in coastal areas and nesting pairs on Long Island are now numerous. |
| A long-range migrant, the Ospreys usually return to Long Island in early or mid-March. They can be seen around our bays, rivers or marshes building their nests. Ospreys mate for life but don’t stay together on their wintering grounds. (Recent studies have shown the Osprey migrate to South America, some as far as the southern tip of the continent.) Often the males and females return each year to the nest that they had used the year before, with the male usually arriving a few days before the female. Nests are built on high, man-made poles with platforms on top that have been erected near water. They are built of stickes and eelgrass (as well as much of our garbage ... plastic bags, ribbons, e.g.), with a depression in the middle for the chicks. |
| Courtship begins with spectacular aerial displays of swoops and circles. This “sky-dance” reinforces the pair bond and is accompanied by high-pitched squeals. Once this pair bonding has occurred the male will feed the female through the egg laying and incubation period. The female will lay 3 to 4 large chicken sized eggs by late April and she will incubate the eggs for about 5 weeks. The chicks are born semi-altricial, immobile, downy, with eyes open and are fed by the female after the male returns with food. The diet is predominately fish, alive or dead, but they will take rodents, birds, small vertebrates & crustaceans if necessary. A brood of three requires 6 pounds of fish daily. The Osprey, also known as the “fish hawk”, is a spectacular diver and our only raptor that dives into the water after fish. They will soar from 30 to 100 feet above the water watching for fish schools. Once they have spotted their prey, they fold their wings up, descend quickly and enter the water feet first; sometimes going completely under the water. They will then fly out of the water, shaking all over to rid them-selves of excess water. Their talons turn backward, and the pads on the talons have small ridges to help hold the slippery fish. (The talons lock into place when a heavy fish is grabbed and can only be released when the fish is pushed against a hard surface. There have been reports of Osprey actually drowning due to the inability to release a too-large fish quickly enough.) While carrying the prey back to the nest it is suspended like a torpedo beneath the bird’s body. |
| Long Island’s springtime is heralded each year by the return of the magnificent Osprey. So while you are out birding, keep your eyes open for this unique and beautiful bird and your efforts will truly be rewarded. |
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| WHAT A BIRD! Pandion haliaetus (from the Greek words meaning salt/sea and eagle) |
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| James Galletto |
| James Galletto |
| James Galletto |
| James Galletto |
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