A distinctive stripe across their face and dark
wrist patches of their wings are classic field
marks to help identify Osprey in flight. Osprey are
a large raptor in the Order Falconiformes.
 
Osprey have interesting feet which help make them
excellent fish predators! In addition to sharp
talons, Osprey feet have rough, spiny pads and they
can point the outer toe forward OR backward to help
them find the best grip on slippery fish. Their
short, strongly hooked bill is very effective at
ripping up their meals. I love to watch Osprey fly
with their fish. Osprey usually turn the fish
headfirst into the wind as they fly--a great way to
streamline their load.
High atop the crossbars of a power line Osprey
have returned to nest again in interior Alaska.
This year there are three Osprey near the nest
area. One of them may be a juvenile from last
year's brood.
Their nest is quite large and made of sticks.
Osprey are typically white underneath and dark on
top. This coloring pattern, called countershading
(Ornithology, Gill 1995; p. 206), acts as
camouflage--white against the light sky and dark
against the earth and helps Osprey avoid detection
by their prey. Fish also utilize countershading and
receive the same benefits.
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