Posted on 08/13/2011 3:56:45 PM PDT by EveningStar
Occurring on every continent except Antarctica, the osprey is the one of the most widespread birds of prey...
(Excerpt) Read more at arkive.org ...
Incredible! He looks like he’s surfing on the fish, in the air, towards the end... wow.
I like raptors. I saw a Cooper’s hawk in the neighborhood this past week at sunset time.
I LOVE raptors. Osprey are amazing hunters when it comes to fishing and I have seen it live while hawk watching (yes I love raptors that much). My favorite raptor is the Peregrine Falcon hands down. We had some nesting in my city and I was able to get close to them on the top floor to our high rise and see them out the window. Such amazing birds.
Another cool thing about the Osprey is the size of their nests which can become huge because they often use the nest year after year and just keep adding to it.
Thanks for posting this.
I've watched ospreys on many occasions snatch fish from the water but I had no idea they dove that deep -- and feet first!
Thanks for that incredible video!
I had a pair of local Cooper’s Hawks a couple of years ago as I feed birds in the winter so they would come to my yard to eat. I was so afraid they’d grab one of my Northern Cardinals or goldfinches but they seemed to like the pigeons and starlings the most.
On that last fish, it looked like the osprey was surfing on the fish. Certainly carrying that big dude in an aerodynamic way. Also impressive was the one-taloned carry prior. Impressive!
Thanks for posting. What an amazing animal! The one fish looked very heavy and yet the Osprey flew without much difficulty. Actually, it “surfed” on the fish without difficulty. Very cool!
As for peregrine falcons, I recently had the pleasure of watching one "disturb" a bunch of waterfowl at a desert marsh recently. I knew it was there too even before I saw it. Once it's spotted by all the local birds (such as yellow-headed blackbirds, red-winged blackbirds, and assorted duck species), the entire marsh lets out a "collective scream," so to speak.
It's hilarious. You know something is horribly wrong and then you look up and see what's causing all the commotion. Invariably, it's a peregrine falcon, or as I like to call it -- a waterfowl's worst nightmare!
I like how the talons spread way before it ever hits water. The power raptors have in their talons is amazing, those videos of eagles killing wolves in mongolia are really neat too.
Freegards
God made wonderful things and modern technology allows us to see more and more of His handiwork
I love them too.
But where I live, they're a Gambel's quail's worst nightmare!
What a wonderful post and I totally agree with you.
In fact, see my tagline!
Lucky you having those Yellow-headed Blackbirds! I’ve never seen one before as they are rare in Central Massachusetts, but they are just gorgeous birds.
The only birds the Peregrines get in the city are normally the pigeons but I’ve seen the falcons at Plum Island and you are right in the fear they strike in waterfowl. It went from peach and quiet to bird hysteria. So fun to watch though!
Yes, I figured the Cooper’s sitting atop the telephone pole was keeping an eye out for a tasty supper. We have sparrows, finches, mourning doves, crows, mockers, hummingbirds and a few black Phoebes around here. Pigeons are in a small minority. I spotted the Cooper’s only because I found one of it tail feathers on the ground and then looked up.
Well, maybe, Lol!
They are the worst "sounding" birds in North America. Their song is sort of a scream/guttural choke/wheeze/screech.
Truly, it is the the most horrible sound in birddom, even worse than a cactus wren or a barn owl.
But ya gotta love 'em for that.
I get a all of those too but not the Black Phoebe sadly. The Cooper’s Hawks around here are too paranoid to let me get as close to them as you did and the only way I can see them is through my window because right the minute I get out there w/ my camera, off they fly. The Red-tailed Hawks are very tame and allow a really good look but they rarely come in my yard. There are some that nest on a local power line on a busy road so I’m guessing they are used to people.
LOL!! I have heard their call on a CD before and it’s awful! Let me tell you though if I heard it here, it would be music to my ears because they are so rare and one is lucky if they can see one during migration in this part of the country.
The Black Phoebe is my favorite.... well, next to the hummer, it is:) The BP has the sweetest little chirp and friendly ways. My Cooper’s didn’t seem to mind me and my opera glasses at all. I got a good look at the speckled golden breast feathers fluffing up.
So jealous, LOL! We have the Eastern Phoebe here and they are friendly too, but I’ve only seen pics of the BP and have always wanted to see one. I LOVE the hummingbirds too but I’m not getting as much as I was earlier in the year. I still feed them though but now that most of the flowers I have in my yard to attract them are gone, they’ve gone elsewhere.
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