In what natural zone does the osprey inhabit a feathered predator?

There are many animals in the world that you rarely see in the wild. And all because they disappear. A vivid example is the osprey, a large bird of prey. But many people do not even know which natural zone the Osprey is living in. And even how she looks.

A few words about the appearance of the Osprey

Before finding out in which natural zone the Osprey is located, it is worthwhile to find out the signs by which it can be distinguished from other birds. Of course, they are noticeable in plumage.

The gray back creates a noticeable contrast with the rest of the bird's body, which is white in color. The neck of the osprey is decorated with a speckled necklace, which is more noticeable in females. On the sides of the beak through the eye and to the wings is a gray-brown band. Black beak and paws of lead color complete the picture.

Each adult has this plumage. And it appears at the age of one and a half years. And until then they look a little spotty, as in young birds the tips of the feathers are painted in a light brown hue.

Another difference of the young osprey in the color of its iris. It's red. The matured individual looks at the world with yellow eyes.

The length of the body of the Osprey is slightly more than half a meter. While the range of its wings reaches and even slightly exceeds one and a half meters. This is true for every bird that is called an "Osprey". Where the feathered specimen lives, it does not matter at all. On the size it does not affect much. Only females are slightly heavier (usually 0.5 kg) and more. If we talk about weight, then for males, it fluctuates around a figure of one and a half kilograms.

General information from biology

On the question of which natural zone the Osprey lives in, it is possible to answer: all over the world. Except perhaps Antarctica. However, its number is small. But more about this later. Now about the osprey.

She is the only representative of the family of cops from the hawkish squadron. However, this bird has several variations in colors and sizes, which depend on the breadth of habitat.

The largest and darkest live in Eurasia and North America. Sub-species with a lighter head inhabit the islands of the Caribbean Sea. By the way, they lead a sedentary lifestyle. The smallest of them are distributed on the coast of the major rivers of Australia.

The diet depends on which natural zone the Osprey lives in. However, some of its features make the predator an excellent fisherman. Paws of these birds are longer, and claws are strongly curved. The outer finger is arranged so that it can freely turn back. Therefore, the Osprey can easily keep slippery fish in its paws.

As for feathers, they are covered with greasy material. Thanks to this, the bird does not get wet. In addition, nasal valves exist on the nostrils, which prevent water from getting inside.

What kind of lifestyle does the Osprey lead?

Whether the flight takes place depends on the nature of the area in which the Osprey lives. Those that are common in the northern latitudes, in the cold season fly away. If the climate allows wintering in favorable conditions, then the osprey remains.

The construction of the nest is mostly done by the female. But the collection of the necessary materials involves both birds from the pair. And for this they need branches, grass and algae. The first form the basis, and the latter it is fastened. Usually in one nest, a pair of osprey lives for several years, if necessary, by repairing it.

After the construction or repair is completed, the female devotes all her time to hatching chicks. And the male is preoccupied with the extraction of food. First only for her, and then also for chicks. And until the chicks can not independently fly out for prey.

At this time, he has many worries, because he also needs to protect the territory from rivals. After all, if the female does not have enough food, then she can begin to ask her for another male.

Usually the pair is formed for a long time, such is the osprey. In what natural zone the bird lives, it affects its monogamy. If the food is enough to feed two families, then the male arranges the second nest. But the food is first in the first.

What kind of locality is chosen?

It has already become clear that the bird is found on all continents. And yet which area does the osprey prefer? Where does he live? She likes forest zones on the shore of water bodies. This choice is due to the fact that for the nest of birds choose the top of a strong and broken tree. And in food they mostly eat fish.

On the territory of Russia they are suitable places that are located no higher than 66-67º north latitude. And they are not afraid of the closeness of man.

The Osprey Nest is usually the only one at a distance of several hundred meters to many kilometers. A small cluster can be observed in the locality, which is rich in food.

Eurasian osprey does not stay for the winter. It is noted that those who live in European territory, fly to East Africa, for example to Egypt, or to the islands of the Red Sea. And populations from Siberia are hibernating in South Asia.

What do they eat and how do the Osprey hunt?

This predatory bird eats mostly fish. It is almost 100% of the diet, but it is not the only thing that can catch the osprey. In what natural zone this bird lives, and will determine the prey in case the fish will not be enough. And this can be: other birds, smaller in size, snakes, salamanders and lizards, muskrats, squirrels and mice, frogs and young alligators.

The osprey is hunting on the fly. The bird hovers at an altitude of 10 to 40 meters, after the detection of the victim quickly flies down. At the same time, she pushes her paws forward, and draws her wings back. Paws are submerged in water, and the osprey grabs fish. To take off, she needs to perform a powerful sweep of the wings, which is directed almost horizontally.

For convenience and improvement of aerodynamic properties, the fish of the osprey keeps so that it seems to float in the air. One paw of the bird directs the head of the prey forward, and the second moves its tail back.

They begin to eat fish from the head. If there is a period of incubation of the chicks, the male eats a part of the prey, and the rest is taken into the nest.

The natural enemies of the Osprey

• Aerial birds of prey, such as an owl or an eagle.
• Ground: raccoons and snakes.
• Living in the water: Nile crocodile.

Why is it guarded?

Having learned that this bird is so widespread, the question may arise: "Why is the osprey a bird of prey, listed in the Red Book?" There are several reasons for this.

First, she is the only representative of her family. That is, the Osprey is a rare species. On this basis, it can already be entered in the register of those in need of protection.

Secondly, the population of the Osprey was greatly reduced in the XIX-XX centuries. And the trend towards the restoration of numbers appeared only in recent years.

The reasons why the population of the Osprey does not increase at a sufficient pace:

• Shooting birds, despite the huge fines;
• Ruin of nests;
• Cutting down trees ;
• Turbidity of water spaces;
• Depletion of fish stocks;
• water pollution.

What can I do to save the Osprey:

• Create artificial nest platforms in places with a lot of feed;
• Organize a rest zone at a distance of about three hundred meters from the nest.