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 Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
by Matt L.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Choordata
Class: Aves
Order:
Falconiformes
<>Family: Pandionidae
Genus: Pandion
Species: Haliaetus
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Physical Description
When an Osprey grabs a fish with its talons it cannot let go until it
reaches
land. A male and female look almost the same only that the female is a
little
bigger. There length is 21 to 24.5 in. and wingspan up to 54 to 72 in.
Sometimes
it gets mistaken for a seagull.
Diet and Feeding Habits
The Osprey eats nothing but fish. If the Osprey can’t find any fish it
might
eat a Frog or Water Snake. The Osprey will dive head first to catch its
prey
and if it can it will come out with a fish.
Reproduction
The female Osprey lays the eggs for over a month, once they hatch the
male
Osprey comes with food and feeds the baby Ospreys. The male cuts the
food
into exactly 1 in. slices Then gives it to the female to chew on and
make
soft for the baby Ospreys.
Habitat
You can find an Osprey on every continent except Antarctica. Mostly in
Northern
New England and migrate mostly in Florida. The Osprey makes its nest
near
rocks, and sandy seashores. They make their nest on large dead trees.
An
Osprey makes its nest with sticks, sod, and mostly anything they can
find
on a beach.
Role in the Ecosystem
The Osprey is a carnivore and predator. An Osprey takes fish that
fisherman
will probably want. An Osprey was once near extinction.
Bibliography
- www.moose/woodland.htm
- Birds Of The World by Colin Harrison and Alan Greensmith published by
D.K.
Publishing 1993
- Eastern Birds Of Prey by Neal Clark published by Thorndike Press 1983
- Maine Birds by Maine Fish And Wildlife published by Thorndike Press
1978
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