What is this bird? - Orchid Board

cb977 · #1 07-30-2006, 02:14 PM

We heard screeching outside our house today and went to see what it was. There were four of these birds in various trees, this one was on top of a pole and making all the noise. We originally thought it was hurt but he flew off after the pictures were taken...awesome!

Wogga · #2 07-30-2006, 04:23 PM

Sue - thats an Osprey (Oh-sprAy) - beautiful water loving, fisheating birds.

cb977 · #3 07-30-2006, 04:26 PM

Thanks Colin...I thought it was some sort of hawk. I live close to water but not close enough to think that a water-lovin' bird would be perched outside

Wogga · #4 07-30-2006, 04:40 PM

Well, they are raptors - the family which is comprised of eagles, hawks, falcons, kites, etc. Im not sure if its technically considered an eagle, or a hawk. They are great birds though. Awfully majestic.

justintimedc · #5 07-30-2006, 04:52 PM

I used to teach ornithology when I was getting my masters in evolutionary biology at VA Tech. If you saw four of these guys at once, making a racket...I am sure they were young ones, just fledged out of the nest, still hoping mom and dad will come and give them a meal they don't have to work for. These guys were nearly extinct once...from a pesticide called DDT. It made their egg shells so thin they all broke before they hatched. We outlawed it here in the states, but we have factories that still produce it by the ton and ship it worldwide. I guess we decided that the people/nature of the rest of the world are not worth saving if they don't live in the USA.

Wogga · #6 07-30-2006, 05:12 PM

sidenote - justin, the next NCOS meeting is at the arboretum the third monday of september. wanna come?? you can come as my guest (dont have to commit to joining at your first meeting). whaddya say?

cb977 · #7 07-30-2006, 07:18 PM

Thanks guys...I knew I'd get the correct information here!

justintimedc · #8 07-30-2006, 11:09 PM

Oh yeh, another side note...ospreys are not actually hawks, they are eagles. Depending on where you are, some people even call them fish eagles.

justatypn · #9 07-30-2006, 11:12 PM

Welcome to Florida's nature. The osprey is a very wonderous bird. If you have made your way to the water, as your getting closer to the gulf you will see a light pole for example with a large nest nestled on the top of the pole...this is the home of an osprey.

Their wing span closely doubles their body size. They soar through the sky with such peace. If your fortunate enough to know the nesting area and they are indeed babies, close to your home, you will hear them begging for mom/dad to bring them food, once there dependence is established, they will move on. I know there are many birds that leave their nest with never returning after nesting but I am not sure of these guys, in the meantime enjoy there beauty.

orcdfrk · #10 07-31-2006, 09:27 AM

Actually I believe thats a Red Tailed Hawk, not an Osprey