Osprey are birds of prey that feed mostly on fish (diet is 99% fish). You’ll find them on every continent except for Antartica. Since their diets are comprised mostly of fish…you’ll find them living and migrating along waterways. These waterways can be rivers, large lakes, bays, oceans, etc. Just about anywhere fish are plentiful.
A few weeks ago we took a tour through some of the wetlands down in Southern New Jersey and learned all about Osprey. We learned that they migrate and most of them mate for life…even though they may take different migrating routes…they will often come back to the same nesting site to nest with one another again. Very cool.
In the center of my photograph you’ll see a man-made nesting platform. They have them all over the bay and inlets, and other waterways to help the Osprey nest and raise their young. We saw several of them during the tour. The educator told us that during hatching season they typicall have 2-4 eggs that hatch. After hatching it can take 8-10 weeks for the baby to fledge (leave the nest).
They typically can live for 7-10 years with some living up to 25 years…depending on species, location, and resources within that location. It was a really great learning experience and it was cool to see them out in the wild enjoying life as they should!
Fascinating to see ospreys in their natural habitat and to be able to learn about them.
I always enjoy seeing the ospreys and the bald eagles that frequent are area. It is always so interesting to learn more about them. I agree being able to see them in their natural habitat is a special experience.
I love seeing osprey nests along the river here. I didn’t know that they could live up to the age of 25 that is really neat.