Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Pandion haliaetus"
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| ordo = [[Falconiformes]] | | ordo = [[Falconiformes]] | ||
| familia = '''Pandionidae''' | | familia = '''Pandionidae''' | ||
− | | familia_authority = Sclater & Salvin, 1873 | + | | familia_authority = [[Philip Sclater|Sclater]] & [[Osbert Salvin|Salvin]], 1873 |
| genus = '''''Pandion''''' | | genus = '''''Pandion''''' | ||
| genus_authority = [[Marie Jules César Savigny|Savigny]], [[1809]] | | genus_authority = [[Marie Jules César Savigny|Savigny]], [[1809]] | ||
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| binomial = ''Pandion haliaetus'' | | binomial = ''Pandion haliaetus'' | ||
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]]) | | binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]]) | ||
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}} | }} | ||
− | The '''Osprey''' (''Pandion haliaetus'') is a medium large [[bird of prey|raptor]] which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution. It is often known by other [[colloquial]] names such as '''fishhawk''', '''seahawk''' or '''Fish Eagle''' | + | The '''Osprey''' (''Pandion haliaetus'') is a medium large [[bird of prey|raptor]] which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution. It occurs in all continents except [[Antarctica]], but in [[South America]] only as a non-breeding [[bird migration|migrant]]. It is often known by other [[colloquial]] names such as '''fishhawk''', '''seahawk''' or '''Fish Eagle'''. |
− | + | An unusual bird with no close relatives, it is the only living species of the genus ''Pandion'', which is in turn the only genus in the [[bird]] family Pandionidae. | |
− | The | + | ==Description== |
+ | The Osprey is 52-60 [[centimetre]]s (20.5-23.6 [[inch|in]]) long with a 152-167 cm (5-5.5 [[foot|ft]]) wingspan. It has mainly white underparts and head, apart from a dark mask through the eye, and fairly uniformly brown upperparts. Its short tail and long, narrow wings with four long "finger" feathers (and a shorter fifth) give it a very distinctive appearance. | ||
− | + | Juvenile birds are readily identified by the buff fringes to the upperpart plumage, buff tone to the underparts, and streaked crown. By spring, wear on the upperparts makes barring on the underwings and flight feathers a better indicator of young birds. Adult males can be distinguished from females from their slimmer bodies and narrower wings. They also have a weaker or non-existent breast band than the female, and more uniformly pale underwing coverts. It is straightforward to sex a breeding pair, but harder with individual birds. | |
− | Ospreys | + | In flight, Ospreys have arched wings and drooping "hands", giving them a diagnostic [[gull|gull-like]] appearance. The call is a series of sharp whistles, ''cheep'', ''cheep'', or ''yewk'', ''yewk''. Near the nest, a frenzied ''cheereek''! |
+ | |||
+ | ==Classification== | ||
+ | The Osprey differs in several respects from the other diurnal birds of prey, and has always presented something of a riddle to taxonomists. Here it is treated as the sole member of the family '''Pandionidae''', and the family listed in its traditional place as part of the order [[Falconiformes]]. Other schemes place it alongside the hawks and eagles in the family [[Accipitridae]]—which itself can be regarded as making up the bulk of the order [[Accipitriformes]] or else be lumped with the [[Falconidae]] into [[Falconiformes]]. The [[Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy]] has placed it together with the other diurnal raptors in a greatly enlarged [[Ciconiiformes]], but this has more recently turned out to result in an unnatural [[paraphyletic]] classification. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Subspecies=== | ||
+ | [[Image:Osprey photo.jpg|thumb|200px|The Australasian Osprey is the most distinctive subspecies.]] | ||
+ | There are four generally recognised [[subspecies]], although differences are small, and ITIS only lists the first two. | ||
+ | * ''P. h. haliaetus'' ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758) [[Eurasia]] | ||
+ | * ''P. h. carolinensis'' ([[Johann Friedrich Gmelin|Gmelin]], 1788), [[North America]]. This form is larger, darker bodied and has a paler breast than nominate ''haliaetus''. | ||
+ | * ''P. h. ridgwayi'' [[Charles Johnson Maynard|Maynard]], 1887, [[Caribbean]] islands. This form has a very pale head and breast compared to nominate ''haliaetus'', with only a weak eye mask. It is non-migratory. | ||
+ | * ''P. h. cristatus'' ([[Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot|Vieillot]], 1816), found around the coastline of, and along some large rivers within, [[Australia]] and [[Tasmania]]. The smallest subspecies, also non-migratory. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ospreys are unusual insofar as a single species occurs nearly worldwide. Even the few [[subspecies]] are not unequivocally separable. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Prehistoric species=== | ||
+ | There were several prehistoric species of osprey which have been described from [[fossil]]s: | ||
*''Pandion'' sp. (Early Oligocene of Fayyum, Egypt) | *''Pandion'' sp. (Early Oligocene of Fayyum, Egypt) | ||
Line 43: | Line 54: | ||
''P. homalopteron'' was very similar to the living species and possibly even its direct ancestor. However, the [[biogeography]] of the fossil ospreys has not been researched well enough to suggest a place where the modern Osprey originated. The genus apparently first appeared in the Mediterranean region, but this is not certain. | ''P. homalopteron'' was very similar to the living species and possibly even its direct ancestor. However, the [[biogeography]] of the fossil ospreys has not been researched well enough to suggest a place where the modern Osprey originated. The genus apparently first appeared in the Mediterranean region, but this is not certain. | ||
− | + | ==Behaviour== | |
− | The Osprey is particularly well adapted to its diet, with reversible outer toes, closable nostrils to keep out water during dives, and backwards facing scales on the talons which act as barbs to help catch | + | ===Diet=== |
+ | The Osprey is particularly well adapted to its [[fish]] diet, with reversible outer toes, closable nostrils to keep out water during dives, and backwards facing scales on the talons which act as barbs to help hold its catch. It locates its prey from the air, often hovering prior to plunging feet-first into the water to seize a fish. As it rises back into flight the fish is turned head forward to reduce [[drag (physics)|drag]]. The 'barbed' talons are such effective tools for grasping fish that, on occasion, an Osprey may be unable to release a fish that is heavier than expected. This can cause the Osprey to be pulled into the water, where it may either swim to safety or succumb to [[hypothermia]] and drown. | ||
− | + | ===Nesting=== | |
+ | The Osprey breeds by freshwater lakes, and sometimes on coastal brackish waters. The nest is a large heap of sticks built in trees, rocky outcrops, telephone poles or artificial platforms. In some regions with high Osprey densities, such as [[Chesapeake Bay]], [[USA]], most Ospreys do not start breeding until they are five to seven years old. Many of the tall structures they need to build nests on are already taken. If there are no nesting sites available, young Ospreys may be forced to delay breeding. To ease this problem, posts may be erected to provide more sites. | ||
− | Ospreys usually mate for life. In | + | Ospreys usually mate for life. In spring they begin a five-month period of partnership to raise their young. Females lay 3–4 [[The biology of eggs|egg]]s within a month, and rely on the size of the nest to help conserve heat. The eggs are approximately the size of [[chicken]] eggs, and [[cinnamon]] colored; they are incubated for about 5 weeks to hatching. |
+ | |||
+ | The newly-hatched chicks weigh only 50-60 g (2 oz}, but fledge within eight weeks. When food is scarce, the first chicks to hatch are most likely to survive. The typical lifespan is 20-25 years. | ||
[[Europe|European]] breeders winter in [[Africa]]. [[United States|American]] and [[Canada|Canadian]] breeders winter in [[South America]], although some stay in the southernmost [[United States|USA]] states such as [[Florida]] and [[California]]. [[Australasian]] Ospreys tend not to [[bird migration|migrate]]. | [[Europe|European]] breeders winter in [[Africa]]. [[United States|American]] and [[Canada|Canadian]] breeders winter in [[South America]], although some stay in the southernmost [[United States|USA]] states such as [[Florida]] and [[California]]. [[Australasian]] Ospreys tend not to [[bird migration|migrate]]. | ||
− | Twenty to thirty years ago, Ospreys in some regions faced possible [[extinction]], because the species could not produce enough young to maintain the population. Since the | + | ==Conservation== |
− | + | Twenty to thirty years ago, Ospreys in some regions faced possible [[extinction]], because the species could not produce enough young to maintain the population. Since the banning of [[DDT]] in many countries in the early 1970s, together with reduced persecution, the Ospreys, as well as other affected [[bird of prey]] species have made significant recoveries. | |
+ | ==Popular culture== | ||
The Osprey is the [[List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols|official bird]] of [[Nova Scotia]] in [[Canada]] and [[Sudermannia]] in [[Sweden]]. It is the official mascot and team name for the [[University of North Florida]] and the [[Richard Stockton College of New Jersey]]. The bird was depicted on the 1986 series [[Canadian dollar|Canadian $10 note]]. The Osprey is also the mascot of the [[Christian Falangist Party of America]] | The Osprey is the [[List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols|official bird]] of [[Nova Scotia]] in [[Canada]] and [[Sudermannia]] in [[Sweden]]. It is the official mascot and team name for the [[University of North Florida]] and the [[Richard Stockton College of New Jersey]]. The bird was depicted on the 1986 series [[Canadian dollar|Canadian $10 note]]. The Osprey is also the mascot of the [[Christian Falangist Party of America]] | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Ospreys in Britain]] | * [[Ospreys in Britain]] | ||
− | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=49304|title=Pandion haliaetus|downloaded=12 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern | * {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=49304|title=Pandion haliaetus|downloaded=12 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern | ||
+ | * Forsman, ''The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East'', ISBN 0-85661-098-4 | ||
+ | * Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant, ''Collins Bird Guide'' ISBN 0-00-219728-6 | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Line 67: | Line 84: | ||
{{en:wiktionary|osprey}} | {{en:wiktionary|osprey}} | ||
*[http://www.rspb.org/reserves/guide/a/abernethyforest/diary/index.asp RSPB UK Osprey Diary with links to much other bird information] | *[http://www.rspb.org/reserves/guide/a/abernethyforest/diary/index.asp RSPB UK Osprey Diary with links to much other bird information] | ||
− | *[http://www.ospreys.org.uk/AWOP/Update.htm For numerous links to information about | + | *[http://www.ospreys.org.uk/AWOP/Update.htm For numerous links to information about Ospreys in Britain.] |
− | *[http://images.usace.army.mil/scripts/PortWeb.dll?query&field=Image%20name&opt=matches&value=2892-65.Jpg&template=Selected_Info&catalog=photoDVL A little about | + | *[http://images.usace.army.mil/scripts/PortWeb.dll?query&field=Image%20name&opt=matches&value=2892-65.Jpg&template=Selected_Info&catalog=photoDVL A little about Ospreys in West Virginia] |
*[http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=568 Osprey videos] on the Internet Bird Collection | *[http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=568 Osprey videos] on the Internet Bird Collection | ||
− | *[http://www.ospreynest.org/ Live Web cam on an | + | *[http://www.ospreynest.org/ Live Web cam on an Osprey nest] (located on [[Lake Washington]] at [[Kennydale, Washington]]) |
[[Category:Birds of prey]] | [[Category:Birds of prey]] | ||
Line 78: | Line 95: | ||
[[Category:Fauna of Scotland]] | [[Category:Fauna of Scotland]] | ||
[[Category:Birds of Australia]] | [[Category:Birds of Australia]] | ||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Fauna of Italy]] |
− | + | ||
[[bg:Орел рибар]] | [[bg:Орел рибар]] | ||
[[cs:Orlovec říční]] | [[cs:Orlovec říční]] |
Revision as of 03:53, 27 November 2006
Template:Otheruses Template:Taxobox
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution. It occurs in all continents except Antarctica, but in South America only as a non-breeding migrant. It is often known by other colloquial names such as fishhawk, seahawk or Fish Eagle.
An unusual bird with no close relatives, it is the only living species of the genus Pandion, which is in turn the only genus in the bird family Pandionidae.
Description
The Osprey is 52-60 centimetres (20.5-23.6 in) long with a 152-167 cm (5-5.5 ft) wingspan. It has mainly white underparts and head, apart from a dark mask through the eye, and fairly uniformly brown upperparts. Its short tail and long, narrow wings with four long "finger" feathers (and a shorter fifth) give it a very distinctive appearance.
Juvenile birds are readily identified by the buff fringes to the upperpart plumage, buff tone to the underparts, and streaked crown. By spring, wear on the upperparts makes barring on the underwings and flight feathers a better indicator of young birds. Adult males can be distinguished from females from their slimmer bodies and narrower wings. They also have a weaker or non-existent breast band than the female, and more uniformly pale underwing coverts. It is straightforward to sex a breeding pair, but harder with individual birds.
In flight, Ospreys have arched wings and drooping "hands", giving them a diagnostic gull-like appearance. The call is a series of sharp whistles, cheep, cheep, or yewk, yewk. Near the nest, a frenzied cheereek!
Classification
The Osprey differs in several respects from the other diurnal birds of prey, and has always presented something of a riddle to taxonomists. Here it is treated as the sole member of the family Pandionidae, and the family listed in its traditional place as part of the order Falconiformes. Other schemes place it alongside the hawks and eagles in the family Accipitridae—which itself can be regarded as making up the bulk of the order Accipitriformes or else be lumped with the Falconidae into Falconiformes. The Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy has placed it together with the other diurnal raptors in a greatly enlarged Ciconiiformes, but this has more recently turned out to result in an unnatural paraphyletic classification.
Subspecies
There are four generally recognised subspecies, although differences are small, and ITIS only lists the first two.
- P. h. haliaetus (Linnaeus, 1758) Eurasia
- P. h. carolinensis (Gmelin, 1788), North America. This form is larger, darker bodied and has a paler breast than nominate haliaetus.
- P. h. ridgwayi Maynard, 1887, Caribbean islands. This form has a very pale head and breast compared to nominate haliaetus, with only a weak eye mask. It is non-migratory.
- P. h. cristatus (Vieillot, 1816), found around the coastline of, and along some large rivers within, Australia and Tasmania. The smallest subspecies, also non-migratory.
Ospreys are unusual insofar as a single species occurs nearly worldwide. Even the few subspecies are not unequivocally separable.
Prehistoric species
There were several prehistoric species of osprey which have been described from fossils:
- Pandion sp. (Early Oligocene of Fayyum, Egypt)
- Pandion homalopteron (Middle Miocene of California, USA)
- Pandion lovensis (Late Miocene of Florida, USA)
- Pandion sp. (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
P. homalopteron was very similar to the living species and possibly even its direct ancestor. However, the biogeography of the fossil ospreys has not been researched well enough to suggest a place where the modern Osprey originated. The genus apparently first appeared in the Mediterranean region, but this is not certain.
Behaviour
Diet
The Osprey is particularly well adapted to its fish diet, with reversible outer toes, closable nostrils to keep out water during dives, and backwards facing scales on the talons which act as barbs to help hold its catch. It locates its prey from the air, often hovering prior to plunging feet-first into the water to seize a fish. As it rises back into flight the fish is turned head forward to reduce drag. The 'barbed' talons are such effective tools for grasping fish that, on occasion, an Osprey may be unable to release a fish that is heavier than expected. This can cause the Osprey to be pulled into the water, where it may either swim to safety or succumb to hypothermia and drown.
Nesting
The Osprey breeds by freshwater lakes, and sometimes on coastal brackish waters. The nest is a large heap of sticks built in trees, rocky outcrops, telephone poles or artificial platforms. In some regions with high Osprey densities, such as Chesapeake Bay, USA, most Ospreys do not start breeding until they are five to seven years old. Many of the tall structures they need to build nests on are already taken. If there are no nesting sites available, young Ospreys may be forced to delay breeding. To ease this problem, posts may be erected to provide more sites.
Ospreys usually mate for life. In spring they begin a five-month period of partnership to raise their young. Females lay 3–4 eggs within a month, and rely on the size of the nest to help conserve heat. The eggs are approximately the size of chicken eggs, and cinnamon colored; they are incubated for about 5 weeks to hatching.
The newly-hatched chicks weigh only 50-60 g (2 oz}, but fledge within eight weeks. When food is scarce, the first chicks to hatch are most likely to survive. The typical lifespan is 20-25 years.
European breeders winter in Africa. American and Canadian breeders winter in South America, although some stay in the southernmost USA states such as Florida and California. Australasian Ospreys tend not to migrate.
Conservation
Twenty to thirty years ago, Ospreys in some regions faced possible extinction, because the species could not produce enough young to maintain the population. Since the banning of DDT in many countries in the early 1970s, together with reduced persecution, the Ospreys, as well as other affected bird of prey species have made significant recoveries.
Popular culture
The Osprey is the official bird of Nova Scotia in Canada and Sudermannia in Sweden. It is the official mascot and team name for the University of North Florida and the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. The bird was depicted on the 1986 series Canadian $10 note. The Osprey is also the mascot of the Christian Falangist Party of America
See also
References
- Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Forsman, The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East, ISBN 0-85661-098-4
- Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant, Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0-00-219728-6
External links
Template:Commons Template:En:wiktionary
- RSPB UK Osprey Diary with links to much other bird information
- For numerous links to information about Ospreys in Britain.
- A little about Ospreys in West Virginia
- Osprey videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Live Web cam on an Osprey nest (located on Lake Washington at Kennydale, Washington)
bg:Орел рибар cs:Orlovec říční cy:Gwalch y Pysgod da:Fiskeørn de:Fischadler eo:Fiŝaglo fr:Balbuzard pêcheur fy:Fiskearn gl:Aguia peixeira io:Mar-aglo he:שלך lt:Erelis žuvininkas nl:Visarend ja:ミサゴ nn:Fiskeørn pl:Rybołów pt:Águia-pesqueira ru:Скопа sk:Kršiak rybár sl:Ribji orel fi:Sääksi sv:Fiskgjuse tr:Balık kartalı zh:鹗