Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
A common bird of prey, I have been able to spot in Montreal, Tadoussac and Newfoundland. At some distance and when not gliding, the bird may be overseen and only at a closer look reveal its id.
| 🇫🇷 | Balbuzard pêcheur |
| 🇩🇪 | Fischadler |
| 🇲🇽 | Águila pescadora |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Pandionidae |
How to Identify
Once I figured out that this bird is a bird of prey due to the form of its beak, I identify this bird by its white body and legs and mostly white bottom of the wings. An additional hint is the pattern of black on head and neck. It consists of a black stripe starting on the side at its beak covering the eye and then leading into the neck which is mostly black.
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Click on photo to enlarge.
Characteristics
| Length | 60-65cm |
| Weight | 1-2kg |
| Wingspan | 150-180cm |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 eggs |
| Incubation | 36-42 days |
| Fledging | 50-55 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 3-4 years |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Where and When to Spot
I saw Ospreys in spring and summer in Montreal (Rapids Park Lachine), in Tadoussac and in Newfoundland. Usually, the bird glides against the wind along the coast of the river or the sea looking out for prey. Being able to see the bird in Montreal or Tadoussac requires patience and luck, though.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc Angrignon | - | x | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.