23 inches long with a 63 inch wingspan. The Osprey has long narrow wings that taper to a rounded tip. It flies with wings held above horizontal and a bend at the wrist giving the wing a bowed, gull-like look. It has a dark brown nape, back, and upperwings. It also has a dark brown eyeline that broadens behind the eye. There is a white chin, throat, breast, and belly. The tail is brown with a number of white bands. The wings are white from below with barred black flight feathers and dark patches at the wrist.
The Osprey is uncommonly seen in migration in April-May and again in late August through December. It is best seen around the Great Marsh.
The Osprey was almost eliminated by DDT but has made a strong comeback. It commonly perches in trees or on poles near water. The Osprey is a fish eater that hovers and then plunges into the water after fish. Its claws are uniquely curved allowing it to carry large prey (fish) a long distance before eating it or feeding it to their young. The call is a loud clear “keyew, keyew, keyew”.
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