Blog #401 The Home Stretch


A six-week-old nestling ruffling its feathers as a defensive, courtesy of Joanie Millward.


The Salt Point Class of 2022 just began their sixth week and are getting ready to leave the nest. The finishing touches on their flight and tail feathers will soon be complete in time for fledging in the next week or two. Even though they are just over six weeks old, the siblings are still awkward walking in the nest and dependent on their parents for food, shelter, and protection. The chicks are capable of feeding themselves but often wait for their mother to dole out the food.


Moana (43 days old), the largest chick sporting a necklace, is a female and is slightly bigger than Makani (possibly a female) at 41 days old. Lani, the youngest at 38 days, is smaller than the other two and is a male. When not stretching or preening their unruly wings, the nestlings do vigorous jumping from side to side while flapping their large wings—dubbed “flappersizing,”—stopping only to cool off by panting. These exercises are crucial to developing balance, muscle strength and control, and coordination of their cumbersome wings.


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A six-week-old chick missing only some of its contour feathers, courtesy of Mimi Rogers.


Within a week, the chicks will have their full complement of contour feathers. These small feathers cover the body, wings, and tail to fill in the gaps and make them aerodynamically ready to challenge the skies—well, almost. The nestlings will still need serious flight lessons and hours of practice before they can master flight. They must strengthen their legs and wings and gain coordination before they can get any serious air.



Orpheus flying overhead, courtesy of Cynthia Sedlacek.


“Flappersizing” and their other exercises consume lots of energy, and the nestlings develop healthy appetites. The young are constantly hungry, spurring Orpheus to catch enough food to satisfy five adult-sized Ospreys catching 10–15 fish per day—the equivalent of 300 calories per Osprey. Because Orpheus is expending at least 320 cal./day, he must eat more fish than the others. 


Most Ospreys catch fish weighing between one-third and two-thirds of a pound. Orpheus has brought home many lake trout, bass, pike, pickerel, and carp, some approaching 2 pounds. Aside from water, fish flesh consists almost entirely of proteins and lipids, with lipids providing 250 calories/lb. compared to only 120 calories/lb. for protein. Orpheus usually eats the fish’s lips and brains for the high-energy lipids before sharing the remaining fish with his family. Fish species all have different lipid and protein contents as well as different edible portions. Full-bodied bullheads, bass, and trout have far more meat on them than boney sunfish, perch, and other panfish. However, powerful stomach acids allow the Ospreys to obtain nutrients from the scales, fins, and bones, making most of the fish digestible.


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 the Finger Lakes


VISIT!

Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail



HELP PROTECT OSPREYS:

  • Eggs will be hatching soon. Stay 300 feet away from nesting sites during the breeding season. 

If the Osprey vocalizes, you are too close! Back off Immediately.

  • Carry binoculars to view wildlife from afar.

  • Help keep local waters clean, healthy, and safe.

  • Recycle used fishing lines, twine, and nets, which can kill Osprey.

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





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