This BBC Scotland’s eight-second footage shows an osprey trying to grasp the massive trout within its talons before taking off from the water. Taking its cue from Highlands Scotland’s Wild Heart, Edward McGregor narrates this clip. Fish constitutes 99% of the osprey’s diet, according to research. They hunt any fish, including those that weigh 150 to 300 grams and larger ones weighing up to 2.8 kilograms. Ospreys can detect objects underwater from the air. It can sight its prey at 10 to 40 meters above the water. When the osprey is ready to catch its meal, it briefly hovers before dipping its feet into the water. They can dive into a body of water or submerge themselves completely to catch fish. When diving, ospreys compensate for refraction effects that distort the image of their prey by adjusting their flight angle. Mostly, the osprey will enjoy its meal on a nearby perch, but sometimes it can carry it for a longer distance. Ospreys may also feed on:
RodentsFrogsHaresSnakes Birds and crustaceans
Ospreys have beautiful colors (a brown back, white head, white wings with dark patches, yellow eyes, and a white chest). A distinct “necklace” of brown feathers along the female’s throat is more defined than the male’s.
What Makes Ospreys Great Hunters?
Ospreys have several adaptations that make their hunting successful. Here are a few:
Long muscular legs. It takes powerful leg muscles for an osprey to hold a fighting prey still and suspend it in the air until it reaches its destination. These birds’ toes are spiky to make grasping slimy fish easy. The toes point frontward and backward, making it easy for them to grasp fish. In addition, reversible outer toes, hooked talons, and specialized barbs on their pads distinguish these birds.Thick feathers. Water does not drench osprey feathers easily. They have greasy and wet plumage, which makes them thick and dense.Large wings. Ospreys use their massive wings to regain their altitude. Furthermore, the wings can move from their wrist joints and float on the water’s surface. The wings also give them an additional lift for flying up and out of the water with heavy catches.Specialized nose valves. These birds’ nose valves prevent the water from entering their nostrils while looking for prey. When the ospreys reach the water surface, the valves close immediately.Fish transporting position. The osprey ensures the head of the fish is always at the front position to minimize the force from the wind.
Upon catching a fish, an osprey rearranges its feet to turn it head-first. Consequently, aerodynamic drag is reduced, making the osprey’s flight easier to maneuver as he flies to his nest or another perch.
Up Next:
Osprey vs Eagle: What Are the Differences?Peregrine Falcon vs Osprey: The Key DifferencesWatch a Bald Eagle Ambush a Hunting Osprey Outside Seattle
