Blog: 336 Piscatorial Perfection

This osprey just saw a fish and is hovering to get his bearings.

The Ospreys’ iconic “M” shaped wings affords agility when fishing, courtesy of Kris Rowe.


To see an Osprey’s artful angling is to watch piscatorial perfection. The graceful dramatic plunge dive at breakneck speeds of up to 80 mph is a thrilling treat to watch. Ospreys catch fish on at least 1 in every 4 dives, with a 70% success rate. The average time Ospreys spend hunting is about 12 minutes per fish. They are the only fish-eating  hawk able to submerge underwater after prey. But it is the effort to rise from the water, weighed down by wet feathers, the size of its body, and the weight of a good size fish, that really sets them apart and bespeaks of their remarkable ability, agility, and strength. 


The Ospreys’ iconic “M” shaped wings affords this ability. This shape created by a bend at the carpal or wrist joint, and the ability to pivot backwards from the shoulder joint allows for a broad range of motion. Combine that with the long primary feathers, and Orpheus can lift from the water with a series of powerful wing beats. (This pivoting action is also used to brake when hovering or landing on the nest.) 


There is much misinformation about the Ospreys’ powerful shoulder joints. Some claim that they are able to dislocate their shoulder joint when rising from the water. After an 

An Osprey begining a dive after a fish 50-100 feet below.

The plunge, courtesy of Kris Rowe.



Travelling head first at 60-80 mph., courtesy of Kris Rowe.

Just before hitting the water, the Osprey juts his legs forward with talons open.

At the last moment, its feet jut out ready for the catch, courtesy of Kris Rowe.


The Osprey plunges after the fish.

Splash down. Ospreys are the only hawks that submerge themselves, courtesy of Kris Rowe.


aerial dive of up to 200 feet, the Osprey must overcome the drag exerted by water in order to take off again. To lift itself and its prey clear of the water requires large, powerful, rotational movements of the wing, including forearm and wrist rotation.


Rising victorious from the water like a phoenix from the fire, courtesy of Kris Rowe.


Orpheus’s tail also helps him rise from the water. When Orpheus dives, he points his tail downward to help control the depth of the dive. For shallow dives his tail acts as a rudder, slowing his dive. 


Oprey are supremely adapted to catching wiggling slippery fish. There feet are covered with spicules that cling to the fish. The long curved talons are grooved to enhance their grip.

 Orpheus’ zygodactyl feet are covered with minute spiked spicules to hold on to the fish, SciNews.

Leaving the water, Orpheus’ zygodactyl feet have a reversible outer toe that allows him to grasp and manipulate fish while he is surfacing. Barbed pads or spicules on the soles of the birds' feet and lower legs help them grip slippery fish. When flying with prey, an Osprey lines up its catch head first for less wind resistance.



Orpheus carrying a carp aerodynamically head first with both feet.


Orpheus’s feathers also shed water quickly after a mid-air doggie-shake. The first shake is performed about 15–30 feet out of the water with additional shakes as they lose the excess water to gain speed or altitude. Please refer to Blog #165 The Physics of Doggie-Shakes for an in-depth look at the maneuver. It's an amazing sight to see them pull the fish out of the water and maneuver his way to his nest.


Eyes to the sky! 


Candace 


Candace E. Cornell 

Friends of Salt Point 

Cayuga Osprey Network 

Lansing, NY 

cec222@gmail.com 

 


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HELP PROTECT OSPREYS

  • Avoid getting too close to nesting sites during the breeding season. If an animal vocalizes when you're near, you are too close! Back off Immediately.

  • Carry binoculars to view wildlife from afar.

  • Restore, clean, and preserve lakeshore and wetland habitat. 

  • Recycle used fishing line, which can be hazardous to Osprey. 

  • Join the Cayuga Osprey Network and volunteer to help monitor Osprey nests. Write to: cec222@gmail.com.


EYES ON OSPREYS

WATCH!

Salt Point Osprey Nest Cam 2021


READ!
On Osprey Time—A Blog  on the Ospreys of Salt Point


VISIT!
Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail

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