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General
Description: Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus)
are large hawks that are dark above and light below. The head is white
with a bold, dark stripe across the side of the head and neck.
The wrists are dark below. Ospreys often fly with the wrist bent
(see the side-view photo), forming a funny crook in the wings that
helps with long-distance identification.
Favored Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and lakes.
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Where to Find: Neighborhood
ponds,
parks (e.g., Lorenzi
Park and Sunset
Park), the Henderson
Bird Viewing Preserve, and Boulder
Beach Marina at Lake Mead NRA. To find them in more natural
habitat, visit the Pahranagat
Valley or the Overton
Wildlife Management Area.
Comments: Osprey are "fish
hawks," so look for them flying and hovering over bodies of water while
they hunt for fish. Osprey dive feet-first into the water to catch fish.
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Osprey carrying a fish back to its nest. Note how
Ospreys carry the fish with the head pointed forward to reduce
aerodynamic drag. In this case, the bird may have already some of the
fish, or it might have stolen it from some other predator. |
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Note how the bird holds the fish. |
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