Osprey is eating a fish while standing atop a road bollard with the Park's entrance sign in the background
NPS
Ospreys
The osprey is a well-known bird of prey that spends its life in coastal environments. Its coloration consists of brown on the back side and white on the bottom. Their size can reach about 2ft in length, with a wingspan of 6ft, and a mass of 4lbs. Fish are the primary food for these hunters, though they have occasionally been documented eating crustaceans and amphibians. Fort Matanzas National Monument, with its proximity to extensive waterways, is an excellent destination to see these predators in action.
Ospreys are ferocious hunters with impressive physiological characteristics and adaptations. Besides their impressive size, they can fly at speeds reaching 30-40 miles per hour. Their hunting technique consists of scanning bodies of water in search of their next meal. When a target fish has been acquired, they swoop down, feet first, to grab their prey with their large talons. These long and strong talons can reach 3in in length, and their powerful grip is due to reversible toes. When holding its prey, two talons face forward while the other two face backward. Once the osprey has obtained its catch, it will fly back to its perch. This is efficiently done by positioning the fish with its head facing forward to reduce the amount of air resistance. Even if the osprey has gotten its wings wet, it is still able to fly since it is able to shake itself off in mid-air to remove excess water droplets.
Ospreys are loyal creatures that mate for life. When a male osprey is pursuing a female, he will perform aerial displays and even provide gifts for the potential mate. These presents may include sticks and fish. Once a mate has been chosen, courtship may continue throughout their lives. These include calls, gifts, and aerial displays. Ospreys will return to the same nesting site each year to create their nests and lay their eggs. Their nests consist of sticks and softer plant materials. About two to four eggs reside in the nest for about 5-6 weeks until they hatch, and another 8-10 weeks pass before the chicks are ready to learn to fly. Bonds have been recorded between ospreys of the same sex where they will share nests and assist with chick-rearing. The lifespan of an osprey averages about 15-20 years.
In the 1950s, populations of osprey were in decline. The chemical DDT was used as a pesticide and infiltrated the food chain. It had consequences on the overall thickness of osprey egg shells. Weak, thin eggs led to lower hatchling success. Following the ban of DDT, osprey numbers rebounded, making it a success story for conservation. While at Fort Matanzas National Monument, remember to keep an eye out for the loyal, powerful, and resilient osprey.
