Blog #375 The Threesome

(L to R) Ursula, Orpheus, and Ophelia on nest.


Polygynous trios, where one male concurrently breeds with two females, sounds fun for some, but exhausting for the male as the breadwinner for two families. It’s a job not many would take on. In the animal kingdom where polygamy and incest are common, monogamous Osprey, geese, and swans have long been viewed as a paragons of virtue. 


Research blemished the Osprey's formerly spotless reputation when it was determined that their rag-tag nests composed of haphazardly interwoven piles of twigs, cow dung, cornstalks, plastic bags, and garbage, and not their mates, was the focus of their loyalty. That said, breeding pairs have a durable bond which grows through the years as they learn to work together for the sake of their nestlings. These bonds have to be resilient to withstand thousands of miles of grueling migrations and decades of rearing offspring.


(L to R) Ophelia, Ursula, and Orpheus. Orpheus is mantling with his shoulders raised and

head down. This is a defensive position, compared to the upright pose of the females.


bond which grows through the years as they learn to work together for the sake of their nestlings. These bonds have to be resilient to withstand thousands of miles of grueling migrations and decades of rearing offspring.


Orpheus bringing fish to his two lady friends.

Ursula (front), Ophelia (left), and Orpheus (right).


Focusing their loyalties on the nest allows the Osprey mates to adopt new mates and continue reproducing if their original mate dies. If, for example, a male is waiting at the nest and his mate is delayed, chances are they will take up with a new female. If the original female finally returns to the nest, the two females will fight for their nesting rights. The loser leaves and the couple picks up from where they were last year. But what happens if the intruding female happens to be the daughter of the nest owner? Would they form an amicable three-some? 


Seldom seen, polygyny in Ospreys usually occurs when nests are closely packed and resources are limited. The females are not cared for equally by the male, and the mother receiving less paternal support must risk leaving her nestling alone while she hunts for food. Such nests deprived of food and assistance often fail


However, the situation at Salt Point this week represents the rarest form of polygyny—when two females share a single nest. Sharing two nests is rare while sharing a single nest has been documented on once before. Ospreys might share nests with sisters or daughters, but only when resources are scarce, which they are not at Salt Point. This would be very “cozy” for such large birds!


How did this happen? Orpheus spent a week fixing the nest this year after he returned from migration. Ordinarily Ophelia would be home a few days after Orpheus; she must have been delayed. Ursula was attracted to Orpheus’ open nest, and moved in on the seventh day, and the courting commenced. All was well until Ophelia arrived four days later. But instead of the usual turf war where Ophelia would drive Ursula off the nest, all was peaceful.

(Left to right) Orpheus, Ursula, and Ophelia sitting peacefully.


It was strange to see three adult Ospreys sitting quietly in a nest with no territorial squabbling. The females tolerate and interact with each other and only squabble slightly over fish deliveries as all Ospreys do. Words fail me trying to describe the “uneasy peace” existing between the females; Together they act 


Orpheus delivered a fish and the gals went to town struggling for it.

like a unit, chirping together at Orpheus to bring them fish. When all together, the females seem dominant, and Orpheus acts sheepishly, mantling on the side of the nest or sitting on the perch. All three fly together, screeching loudly. Interestingly, sticks and other nesting material is being added and they do perch there occasionally. At least two, possibly all three, are putting sticks in the Salmon Creek nest as if they planned to settle there. Ursula appears to be on the Salt Point nest the majority of the time but rigorous identifications using photos and camera footage are still in progress. 


The only stimulus I can find for this behavior is the proximity of the nearby Salmon Creek nest. This will be the third year that a polygynous trio has formed around the Salmon Creek and the Salt Point Nests. The longer this threesome continues, the more time Orpheus spends guarding his females from other males and the less time he spends fishing for the family. 


Below are just a few of the Salt Point nest camera footage showing Orpheus, Ophelia, and Ursula interacting. This behavior is so abnormal, I am at a loss to describe it except that it is very un-Ospreyish. The Salt Point Natural Area is becoming the new Peyton Place (Boomers TV).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LduNqF2sXkU&list=UUjfnE74qpNoi7nG3mfL-TIQ&index=11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FXcy-NYirA&list=UUjfnE74qpNoi7nG3mfL-TIQ&index=13

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-1i4w-XifM&list=UUjfnE74qpNoi7nG3mfL-TIQ&index=19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4KE2hDiOKg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FXcy-NYirA



Eyes to the sky!


Candace


Candace E. Cornell 

Friends of Salt Point, Lansing, NY

Cayuga Lake Osprey Network

cec222@gmail.com

  


EYES TO THE SKY!


WATCH!

Salt Point Osprey Nest Cam


READ!

On Osprey Time: Ospreys of Salt Point


VISIT!

Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail




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