eastern osprey - evening meal #5 - a photo on Flickriver

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Eastern Osprey
Scientific Name: Pandion cristatus
The aerial displays of the Eastern Osprey often feature two birds soaring together in a series of undulations, or one following the other on a weaving course. These may occur near the nest, which is a huge structure made of sticks, driftwood and seaweed. As the nest is used year after year, the material may accumulate to form an enormous pile of sticks, sometimes 2 metres across and 2 metres tall, with the size and shape determined by the nest-site and how long it has been used.
Description: The Osprey is a medium-sized fish-eating raptor (bird of prey). It has dark brown upperparts contrasting with pale underparts. There is a black band through the eye, separating the white throat from the pale crown. The Osprey has a rather small head and neck and typically swivels its head around or sways its head from side to side. When it is perched, there is a short bristly crest. The eyes are placed well forward on the head. The fingered wings in flight are narrow and angled distinctively. There are dark carpal patches on the underwing (at the bend in the wing). The beak is strongly hooked and the legs are powerful. The female is similar to the male but is larger and has a fuller, darker breast band. The Osprey is also called the Fish Hawk or White-headed Osprey.
Similar Species: The White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster, is much larger and soars with up-swept wings, rather than the sharply bowed wings of the Osprey.
Distribution: The Osprey is cosmopolitan, being found in many coastal and lake areas of the world. In Australia, it is found on the north and east coast from Broome to the south coast of New South Wales. There is also a southern population from Kangaroo Island to the Great Australian Bight and a western population from Esperance to Cape Keraudren. Ospreys are also found in the Phillipines, Indonesia and New Guinea.
Habitat: Ospreys are found on the coast and in terrestrial wetlands of tropical and temperate Australia and off-shore islands, occasionally ranging inland along rivers, though mainly in the north of the country.
Feeding: The Osprey feeds mainly on medium-sized live fish, which it does not swallow whole, but rips apart to eat. The Osprey patrols the coast, searching for prey. It folds its wings, then drops headlong, with its feet forward to snatch a fish with its talons. It may go right under the water or snatch a fish from the surface, before lifting off again, with strong wing strokes.
Breeding: The Osprey may use the same nest year after year. The nest is made from sticks and driftwood and may be huge after many years. It is usually placed on a cliff, a dead tree or even a radio mast. Both birds bring sticks, but the female usually places the sticks in the nest. The nest is lined with grass, seaweed or bark. The female does most of the incubation, while the male brings food to the nest.
(Source: birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/eastern-osprey)

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© Chris Burns 2020

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This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.

Taken in: Australia / Queensland / Urangan (show map)

Taken on: January 2, 2020

Tags:

Eastern Osprey

Pandion cristatus

Australian bird

fauna

Australian fauna

wildlife

Australian wildlife

raptor

osprey

Nikon D500

Nikon 200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6 VR

Hervey Bay

Queensland

Australia

Lagoon Creek, Barcaldine

QLD « less

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Camera: Nikon D500, f/5.6, 1/80 sec, 500mm (=750mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D500
Lens:	200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.013 sec (1/80)
Focal Length:	500mm (35mm equivalent: 750mm)
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	+4/3 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Saturation:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 (Windows)
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